Fri Sep 27 20:05:27 UTC 2024: ## Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji Welcomed by CM Stalin After Release from Jail
**Chennai:** Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji was welcomed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin upon his return from Delhi on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Chennai airport where Balaji, released from jail after the Supreme Court granted him bail in an alleged money laundering case, greeted the Chief Minister with a garland and prostrated himself to seek his blessings.
Balaji was released from Puzhal prison on Wednesday after 471 days of imprisonment. The Supreme Court, while granting him bail, imposed certain conditions, including requiring him to appear at the Enforcement Directorate office twice a week and surrender his passport. Notably, the court also ruled that there was no legal impediment to his resuming his ministerial position.
The Chief Minister had previously expressed his support for Balaji, calling his imprisonment a politically motivated act by the Enforcement Directorate. In a social media post, Stalin stated that the Supreme Court was the only hope against the misuse of the ED to target political opponents.
During their meeting at the airport, Balaji was accompanied by senior ministers including Ponmudi and Sekar Babu, while CM Stalin was accompanied by key administrative officials.
The meeting has sparked speculation regarding Balaji’s return to the cabinet. While DMK spokesperson D.K.S. Elangovan stated that the court’s ruling regarding Balaji’s ministerial eligibility is a matter for the Chief Minister to decide, the future of Balaji’s political career remains to be seen.
First Piper 