In a recent development, CSI Priest Godfrey Noble, who is also the leader of the ‘All India Democracy Protection Kazhagam’ (AIJPK/AIDPK), took to Instagram to express his criticism of the behaviour of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government over the arrest of Liquor Minister Senthil Balaji. Noble stated that a central authority like the Enforcement Directorate would only take such action after gathering sufficient evidence to arrest a sitting minister. He accused the DMK government of creating a false scenario of political revenge and fooling the public.
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Noble highlighted the history between Chief Minister MK Stalin and Senthil Balaji, noting that when Stalin was in the opposition, he filed corruption cases against Balaji, who was a minister in the AIADMK cabinet at the time. In 2016, Stalin publicly criticised Balaji during a public meeting. Noble pointed out the irony of Stalin now accusing the central government of arresting Balaji out of political vendetta, despite previously acknowledging Balaji’s alleged corruption.
Referring to the actions of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Noble emphasised that Balaji was removed from the cabinet following corruption accusations. He described Balaji as a well-known corrupt politician and accused Stalin of attempting to cover up this open secret.
Noble expressed his belief that the arrest of Balaji was a consequence of the poor people’s frustration and their curse. He acknowledged that not all ministers are free of corruption but accused the DMK, after being in opposition for ten years, of engaging in rampant corruption.
In a contrasting perspective, an interview with a ragpicker revealed the grievances of the common people. The ragpicker mentioned that even at TASMAC, where he buys alcohol, extra money is taken from them. Such actions have hurt the public’s trust.
Noble also brought attention to the allegations against Balaji during his tenure as a minister from 2011 to 2016, where he promised job opportunities to individuals in exchange for money but allegedly cheated them. He claimed that people, driven by the desire for a government job, had collected and borrowed substantial amounts of money, only to be deceived. This, according to Noble, ultimately led to Balaji’s arrest.
Plus, Noble questioned the sudden onset of chest pain experienced by Balaji, who was known for his regular physical exercise. He criticised the behavior displayed during Balaji’s arrest, where he appeared to be adjusting his clothes and calling for a doctor while claiming chest pain. Noble found it suspicious that someone experiencing chest pain would behave in such a manner.
Noble raised doubts about Balaji’s subsequent admission to Omandurar Hospital, highlighting the visits from ministers such as Sekar Babu who initially claimed Balaji was unconscious but later found him sitting and talking with MK Stalin. He drew attention to Balaji wearing a tape instead of an IV insert and a pretentious mask, suggesting that these actions were an attempt to feign illness and evade consequences.
Noble urged the public to recognise the need to remove corrupt individuals from positions of power. He emphasised the importance of voting these “corrupt bandicoots” out in the upcoming general elections as a means to teach them a lesson. He clarified that the arrests were not politically motivated but were a response to corruption cases filed a decade ago, and the action was taken under the direction of the Supreme Court.
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