Thu Sep 26 12:53:59 UTC 2024: ## Tamil Nadu CM Welcomes Supreme Court Bail for Senthil Balaji, Criticizes Central Government

**Chennai, India:** Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to former Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested in connection with a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam. Stalin used the opportunity to criticize the central government, alleging that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is being used to suppress political opponents.

“In the midst of political oppression, only the Supreme Court is dawn for it,” Stalin said, referring to the central government’s actions. He further claimed that Senthil Balaji’s time in jail, exceeding 471 days, was longer than even during the ‘Emergency’ period, implying that the central government was attempting to break Balaji’s determination through prolonged imprisonment.

Stalin praised Balaji’s resilience, stating that his “sacrifice is great! Your determination is greater than that!”

Balaji’s bail was granted after he spent over 15 months in jail, facing charges related to the alleged cash-for-jobs scam that took place during his tenure as Transport Minister in the previous AIADMK government. The DMK leader joined the DMK in 2018 and served as the Electricity Minister after the party came to power in 2021.

The Supreme Court’s bail order comes with conditions requiring Balaji to appear before the ED twice a week, refrain from influencing witnesses, and surrender his passport.

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