V Senthil Balaji: The conflict between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor RN Ravi intensified on Thursday night after the latter dismissed the jailed minister Senthil Balaji from the council of ministers due to pending criminal charges. Five hours later, the Governor’s Office announced that the dismissal decision had been delayed and that RN Ravi will now follow the Attorney General’s guidance. The DMK-Congress administration would tackle this legally, according to MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, who stated that the governor had no jurisdiction to fire a minister.
Manish Tewari Calls for Governor’s Removal over Constitutional Concerns
Manish Tewari, a Congress member and lawyer, suggested that the President remove the governor of Tamil Nadu because no lawyer could have suggested that RN Ravi fire a minister before the allegations against him are proven. Manish Tiwari said, “No sane bureaucrat much less a sane lawyer could have advised Mr Ravi that Constitutional scheme allows him to dismiss a Minister. Criminal jurisprudence holds you are innocent until proven guilty,” Manish Tewari used Article 164 of the Indian Constitution when he claimed that a minister may only be dismissed on the chief minister’s recommendation. According to the press release issued from the Raj Bhavan, “Currently he is in judicial custody in a criminal case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. Some more criminal cases against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code are being investigated by the State Police. There are reasonable apprehensions that continuation of Thiru V Senthil Balaji in the Council of Ministers will adversely impact the due process of law…”Although no new statement was made, it was later announced that the decision had been postponed.
AAP and TMC Accuse Governor of Unconstitutional Conduct
In a statement, the AAP said that Governor RN Ravi’s conduct was “outrightly unconstitutional” and that the chief minister alone should have the authority to make such decisions.Saket Gokhale, a national spokesperson for the Trinamool Party, stated that in addition to Article 164 of the Constitution, a Supreme Court decision states that the Governors cannot carry out their constitutional duties without consulting the chief ministers. TMC leader said, “In this case, it is clear that the Governor took the decision unilaterally. This fight is of all opposition parties — to save our Constitution and democracy.” Manoj Jha of the RJD claimed that RN Ravi must have gotten a directive from Delhi. However, there is no such provision in the Constitution. The BJP, on the other hand, defended the Governor’s dismissal of Senthil Balaji and claimed that he had every right to do so. On June 14, Senthil Balaji was detained as part of a cash-for-jobs scheme. As soon as he was arrested, he was sent to the hospital after complaining of chest trouble. On June 21, the minister underwent a bypass procedure.
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