EPS Calls DMK’s Senthil Balaji As ‘Ten Rupees Balaji’ Referring To TASMAC Scam

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), kicked off his statewide campaign on 7 July 2025, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Marking the beginning of his tour in Coimbatore, EPS was joined by BJP leaders atop a campaign vehicle signaling a renewed alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP.

In his opening address, EPS launched a sharp critique of the ruling DMK, particularly targeting the party’s decision to appoint former minister Senthil Balaji, who had stepped down following pressure from the Supreme Court. Alluding to Balaji’s legal troubles and potential imprisonment, EPS used the issue to accuse the DMK of shielding tainted leaders.

He also took aim at the DMK’s long-standing tradition of dynastic politics. EPS questioned whether only those born into political families had the right to lead, contrasting that notion with his own rise from humble beginnings.

Speaking at the rally in Coimbatore, EPS said, “They’ve appointed a DMK official here. Who is it? Who is it? Balaji… What name have they given him? ‘Ten Rupee Balaji.’ What name? ‘Ten Rupee Balaji.’ He’s been appointed as the official here today. This appointed election in-charge is someone who committed corruption and went to jail for it. Just think about it, the Supreme Court questioned DMK Minister Senthil Balaji whether he should go to jail or continue as a minister. He tried to appeal multiple times, but the Supreme Court did not relent, and he finally resigned from his ministerial post. Such a person, who committed corruption, has been made your district in-charge. Just think, the AIADMK party is the party that serves the people of this country. In 5 years of DMK rule, bribery and corruption have run rampant. Bribery is present in every department. No work is done without a bribe. ‘Commission, collection, corruption’ is number one under DMK rule. Do you want such a corrupt government again? Do you want a corrupt government? Therefore, the 2026 Assembly election must be an election to remove the corrupt DMK government. Today, many years have passed since monarchy was abolished in India. The DMK family, as previously Stalin said, DMK means the Karunanidhi family, is yearning for monarchy to return to Tamil Nadu. The 2026 Assembly election must be an election to put an end to dynastic rule and family rule.”