NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JUNE 29
Despite a recent Supreme Court order that Governors have to act on the advice of the elected government head viz chief minister, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has dismissed Minister V Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers without consulting Chief Minister MK Stalin, broadening a bitter standoff with the state’s DMK government.
Balaji, who is in jail and faces criminal proceedings in a corruption case of alleged cash-for-jobs scandal, had been retained as a minister without portfolio by Stalin, a decision now overridden by Governor Ravi’s unilateral action.
- The Tamil Nadu government plans to challenge the move in the Supreme Court, sources said
- The actions of the governor are similar to those of a mentally unstable person: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan
- Governor’s action is arbitrary and against the Constitution, say legal experts.
In an official statement, the Raj Bhavan said, “Mr Balaji is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption, including taking cash for jobs and money laundering.”
“Under these circumstances, the Governor has dismissed Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect,” it said.
We will face legally: TN CM M K Stalin
VIDEO | "The Governor does not have the powers to dismiss him (Senthil Balaji). We will face this legally," says Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin as Governor RN Ravi removes Senthil Balaji from State Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/oJtjLID8OX
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2023
Reacting to the development, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said, “The Governor has no powers. We will face this legally.”
The Tamil Nadu government plans to challenge the move in the Supreme Court, sources said.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan condemns dismissal
ஆளுநர் #ஆர்_என்_ரவி அவர்களின் நடவடிக்கைகள் மனநலம் சீராக இல்லாத ஒருவரின் செயற்பாடுகளைப் போலவே உள்ளது. அவருக்கு என்ன ஆனது என்கிற பரிதாபம் மேலிடுகிறது.
அவர் தனது அதிகார வரம்புகளை அறியாமல் செயல்படுகிறாரா? அல்லது உள்நோக்கத்துடன் தமிழகத்தில் அரசியல் குழப்பத்தை உருவாக்க நினைக்கிறாரா?…
— Thol. Thirumavalavan (@thirumaofficial) June 29, 2023
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan took to Twitter, comparing the Governor’s actions to that of a mentally unstable person.
“The actions of the governor are similar to those of a mentally unstable person. I feel sorry for what happened to him. Is he acting without knowing the limits of his authority? Or is he intentionally trying to create political chaos in Tamil Nadu? The Liberation Tigers of India strongly condemns his spontaneous behavior.”
Under Article 164(1) of the Constitution, the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor.
This has been asserted by the Supreme Court many a times. Hence, the Governor’s action is arbitrary and against the Constitution, say legal experts.
Governor has every right to dismiss a minister: BJP
#WATCH | Madurai | Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy says, "…He (Governor) has every right to dismiss because he appoints the ministers, he has given the reasons as to why he dismissed Senthil Balaji…in spite of the SC's order, the govt has not constituted a… pic.twitter.com/pANygJwVA7
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023
