Sun Sep 29 11:03:42 UTC 2024: ## DMK Leader Senthil Balaji Sworn in as Tamil Nadu Minister After Bail in Money Laundering Case

**Chennai, India:** V Senthil Balaji, a high-profile DMK leader who was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case, was sworn in as a minister in the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday.

Balaji, 48, was reappointed to his previous portfolio of “electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition & excise.” He was previously arrested in June 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as transport minister under the previous AIADMK government.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Raj Bhavan, was also attended by three other DMK legislators: Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran, and S M Nasar.

Chezhiaan, a three-time MLA, was assigned the Higher Education portfolio, while Rajendran, a lawyer and former party worker, was given the Tourism portfolio. Nasar, a well-known DMK face, was appointed as Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare.

The ceremony was presided over by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, with Chief Minister M K Stalin and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, in attendance.

The swearing-in ceremony comes after a series of changes in the Tamil Nadu cabinet, including the dropping of three ministers – T Mano Thangaraj, Gingee KS Masthan, and K Ramachandran – and the induction of the four new ministers. The total strength of the cabinet is now 35, including the Chief Minister.

The new appointments are part of a larger reshuffle within the DMK government, aimed at strengthening the party’s position ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Read More