Show of opposition unity against Senthil Balaji's arrest

Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the ED in an alleged corruption case, was never known to be a bigtime political leader and yet his arrest became an event for joint protest by the leaders of many Opposition parties, who also accused the central government of indulging in "witch-hunt" of its political rivals. In an evident coordination, many senior Opposition leaders, who are slated to hold a unity meet at Patna on July 23, made the minister's arrest a common cause against the Centre and against the "misuse of central agencies".

Even as the DMK claimed violation of procedures in the arrest of its minister, party boss MK Stalin said his colleague was ill-treated and had to be hospitalised. "The DMK will not be intimidated by these threats. People will teach them (BJP) a lesson in the 2024 (national) elections. They have acted very inhumanly even beyond the level needed for this case," Stalin said.

Condemning the minister's arrest, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said: "This is nothing but political harassment and vendetta by the Modi government against those opposed to it. None of us in the Opposition will be intimidated by such brazen moves".


Among others, Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), Saugata Roy (TMC), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Supriya Sule (NCP), Sanjay Raut (UBT), Rajiv Ranjan (JDU), Ameeque Jamei (SP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) and D Raja (CPI) condemned the arrest of the minister.