How DMK Leader Senthil Balaji Is Relevant In Coimbatore Politics Despite Being In Jail

Days ago, BJP state President K Annamalai said that jailed DMK leader Senthil Balaji is giving directions to the party workers over the phone from prison to devise strategies aimed at defeating Annamalai.

On June 14, 2023, officials from the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at Senthil Balaji's residences and other associated locations in Chennai and Coimbatore. They questioned him over allegations stemming from his tenure as the transport minister in the AIADMK-led government from 2011 to 2015, before he joined the DMK. Balaji was arrested during the raid.

Yet, he has continued to be a relevant political player in the Kongu region and Coimbatore politics.

"The Karur company is working in Coimbatore and Senthil Balaji is giving election strategies to minister TRB Rajaa. But no matter what screenplay, or script they write, even if they bring and dump the gold mine to buy votes. BJP is sure to win 60% votes in Coimbatore. DMK cadre are offering gold stud and Rs 2,000 to the elderly people age crossed 85 ( who cast postal vote). They do not have the moral right to speak about cash for votes," The New Indian Express quoted Annamalai told media persons amid his campaign in Saravanampatti

For those unfamiliar with Balaji's background, he served as a minister in the late J Jayalalithaa's government and later aligned with TTV Dhinakaran's faction before joining the DMK. His electoral victories include the 2019 bypolls in Aravakurichi and the 2021 assembly polls in Karur.

Big Turnaround In Municipal Polls

However, it was in 2022 that Balaji's strategic acumen shone brightly. Coimbatore, historically a stronghold of the AIADMK, dealt a severe blow to the DMK in the 2021 assembly elections. Balaji, assuming the role of key strategist, orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the party in the 2022 municipal elections.

According to a report in the Deccan Herald, the DMK finalized Ganapathi P Rajkumar's candidacy only after receiving Balaji's approval. Rajkumar, like Annamalai, belongs to the Gounder community.

Balaji's prominence is underscored by allegations from the AIADMK, accusing the DMK of striking a deal with the BJP. Allegedly, under this arrangement, the Dravidian party would secure Annamalai's victory in exchange for the release of Balaji from jail, the AIADMK has claimed.

The report further claimed that AIADMK's Singai G. Ramachandran voiced these suspicions in a meeting, citing a WhatsApp message suggesting that the DMK fielded a weak candidate in Rajkumar to secure Balaji's release by ensuring Annamalai's victory.

"I read a message on WhatsApp, and I don't know its veracity. It says the DMK has fielded a weak candidate in Rajkumar as they want someone who hails from Karur (Balaji) to be released. If that Karur man (Balaji) has to be released from jail, this Karur man (Annamalai) should win the polls. This seems to be the deal,"

Nonetheless, the DMK denied these allegations and said that it has fielded a strong candidate. "We want to convey to the BJP that they cannot secure victory in this seat, which is why we are contesting from Coimbatore. Why would we field a candidate who is weak? This only reflects the AIADMK's concern regarding our strategy and Balaji's political expertise. There is no reason for them to unnecessarily involve him," the DMK spokesperson stated.