CHENNAI: After a rigorous 18-hour-long interrogation, Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji was arrested by the enforcement directorate. The case travels back to Balaji’s tenure as transport minister in the Jayalalitha-led government, when he was accused of a job-for-cash scam in the department.

Much drama ensued after the arrest as Balaji felt chest pain and was rushed to hospital. Ministers including Udhayanidhi Stalin, M Subramanian, E V Velu, and Shekar Babu reached the hospital to visit Balaji. Udhayanidhi in a political retort said the BJP intimidation tactics won't work with DMK.

Balaji, who currently holds Electricity, Excise, and Prohibition porfolios was arrested under the provisions of the PMLA. This came after extensive searches held on Tuesday. The ED searches at the minister’s chamber at the State Secretariat were the first of their kind.

Starting from last month, houses of relatives and close friends of Balaji were rummaged by IT officials. Meanwhile, big discussions are currently happening inside Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin’s house in Alwarpet. RPF has also been deployed in the hospital where Balaji is currently undergoing treatment.