V. Senthilbalaji | From villain to anti-hero Premium

In Tamil Nadu, some politicians crave for the attention accorded to a groom while attending weddings and seek to be the focal point even in a funeral home. V. Senthilbalaji, 47, Minister in the M.K. Stalin Cabinet, hospitalised following his recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money laundering case, is different.

In Tamil Nadu, some politicians crave for the attention accorded to a groom while attending weddings and seek to be the focal point even in a funeral home. V. Senthilbalaji, 47, Minister in the M.K. Stalin Cabinet, hospitalised following his recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money laundering case, is different. He is among those who would position themselves as the groom’s best man or a pall bearer; someone who cannot be ignored or dislodged.

He is resourceful enough to know how to please the chef to get the buttered side of the bread. Otherwise, it would not have been possible for a party-hopper, in whose political dictionary the term “loyalty” does not exist, to gain proximity to the leadership everywhere.

Hailing from Karur in western Tamil Nadu, Mr. Senthilbalaji, in over 25 years, has switched parties five times. Starting off as student politician in Vaiko’s Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), he moved to its parent outfit, DMK, before joining the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam by the turn of the millennium.

In 2011, then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa appointed him Transport Minister. Such was the confidence in him that in 2014 when Jayalalithaa was jailed in a corruption case, his name was floated as a probable to succeed her.

Mr. Senthilbalaji tonsured his head and carried a fire pot to propitiate deities for her release. She returned in 2015. But for him, it brought bad tidings as she dropped him from the Cabinet. Around this time, complaints were lodged alleging his conduits had cheated job aspirants after receiving bribes promising appointments in the Metropolitan Transport Corporation.

During the 2016 Assembly election campaign, Mr. Stalin hit out at him, saying, “There was a Minister in this district, Senthilbalaji... He has Karur under his control in terms of looting, corruption and taking bribes. Charges of abduction and land grabbing against him are in court. Is it not just one or two, there are so many charges.”

Mr. Stalin had no inkling that in three years, he would be fielding Mr. Senthilbalaji, who quit TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam after a short stint, on DMK ticket in the very same constituency. Mr Senthilbalaji quickly became proximate to Mr. Stalin and his family members. Party veterans grudgingly watched the Chief Minister overlook seniors and allocate the Electricity, Excise and Prohibition portfolios, deemed as “cash cows”, to him in 2021.