Speaking to the public gathered at his En Mann En Makkal padayatra, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party head Annamalai criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government in the state for paying ₹8.40 lakh over eight months to minister without portfolio, Senthil Balaji who is lodged in Puzhal Jail.
Senthil Balaji over the months has received a salary of ₹1.05 lakh per month from taxpayers’ money, he said, as reported by Dinamalar. Annamalai addressed the En Man, En Makkal walk on 31 January 2024 in the Chengam Assembly Constituency, expressing the need for political change in Tamil Nadu.
He rebuked the current ruling party, highlighting the desire for leadership akin to Modi’s. Annamalai condemned the governance in Tamil Nadu, alleging unfulfilled promises, electoral deceit, and poor law and order. Senthil Balaji, currently in Puzhal Jail for the past 230 days, retains his ministerial post without a portfolio despite a law requiring the removal of government employees imprisoned for 48 hours.
He criticised the DMK government as corrupt and protecting corrupt individuals.
The tainted minister @V_Senthilbalaji draws a salary of 1.05 lakhs per month from the tax payers money while in jail . So far , he has recieved 8.4 lakh rupees. @mkstalin why do you pay this man ? Is it not a fraud on the constitution? What duty is he performing from Puzhal ?… pic.twitter.com/piUyqNRTjl
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) February 1, 2024
It is noteworthy that the Madras Additional Sessions Court recently extended Minister Senthil Balaji’s judicial custody for the 18th time. Arrested on 14 June 2024 amid high drama under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Senthil Balaji faces a 3,000-page charge sheet. Despite a scheduled date for charges on 22 January 2024, a new petition seeking trial postponement was filed. The Enforcement Department accused Senthil Balaji of attempting to hinder the investigation. The hearing was adjourned to 31 January 2024, and the court extended Senthil Balaji’s custody until 7 February 2024, facilitated through a video conference from Puzhal Jail.
(with inputs from Dinamalar)
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