Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly and senior AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said that the state's Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), should resign from his post.
Balaji was arrested during the wee hours on Wednesday by the ED officials in connection with a 'cash for jobs' scam. He was admitted to a government hospital in the city. Doctors treating Balaji have recommended bypass surgery to remove blocks identified in the blood vessels in the heart.
Also read: Tamil Nadu: "Early" bypass surgery adviced for Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji arrested by ED
"When our leader and former minister Jayakumar was arrested, he was imprisoned for 20 days. He was not even permitted to take medicines. Senthil Balaji is doing drama now," said Edappadi K Palaniswami, who is also the General Secretary of AIADMK. According to 69-year-old Palaniswami, as a moral responsibility, Balaji should resign from his minister post.
Earlier, another AIADMK leader D Jayakumar had demanded that Balaji Senthil should be removed from the Cabinet by Chief Minister MK Stalin. "Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji is doing drama. They (the DMK) are trying to divert the issue by doing this. Chief Minister MK Stalin should remove the minister from his cabinet. If the Chief Minister doesn't remove the minister, then the Tamil Nadu Governor should intervene in this case," Jayakumar said.
Meanwhile, the Madras High Court has agreed to hear the plea moved by Balaji's wife in connection with his arrest.
Also read: Stalin: ED torture caused Senthil Balaji chest pain
