Tamil Nadu: Minister Senthil Balaji Undergoes Coronary Angiogram; Bypass Surgery Advised At 'Earliest'

As per the medical bulletin issued by the Director of the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Omandurar Estate, "Balaji underwent coronary angiogram at 10.40 am?on June 14."

"Coronory angiogram revealed triple vessel disease for which CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) - bypass surgery is advised at the earliest," it said.

Amid the row over an alleged money laundering case, Balaji was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a government hospital early on Wednesday, DMK leaders said.

A video emerged on social media where he was seen breaking down on camera after being arrested by ED.

It has been reported that the minister?complained of uneasiness during the Enforcement Directorate raids (ED) at his premises that were on since June 13.??

The ED on Tuesday had launched searches at locations linked to Balaji at Chennai, Karur and Erode?as part of probe into money laundering and arrested him?on Wednesday.

State Minister P K Sekar Babu claimed there were 'symptoms' Balaji has been 'tortured.'

Initially,?there were speculations that the minister had been taken into custody by the ED but there was no official confirmation and DMK advocates who visited the hospital also said there was no clarity on this.??

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday visited the Omandurar government hospital in Chennai to meet Balaji.

Why was he taken to the hospital??

TV visuals showed Balaji being uneasy while being brought to the Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate in the city.

"He is in the ICU. He was in an unconscious state and did not respond when he called him by his name. He is under observation... there is a swelling near his ear, doctors say there is variation in his ECG (electrocardiogram)... these are symptoms of torture," State Minister P K Sekar Babu told reporters.

Reactions from the DMK party

Law minister S Reghupathy, who visited the hospital. He also questioned the need for the ED raids at Balaji's house running non-stop for hours.?

DMK advocates demanded the ED officially make it clear immediately whether Balaji has been arrested or not.

TN minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was among the cabinet ministers who visited the hospital. ?Meanwhile, central paramilitary personnel were posted at the hospital.?

Balaji was earlier with the AIADMK and had been Transport Minister in the late Jayalalithaa-led Cabinet.

Congress strongly criticises the arrest

Arrest of Senthil Balaji has drawn?sharp reaction from Congress as well.?

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh tweeted,"Statement issued by Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge?@kharge?condemning the blatant misuse of the ED in searching the office of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Thiru V. Senthil Balaji."

Aam Admi Party (AAP) also tweeted, "?We strongly condemn the late night arrest of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate. The manner in which he was arrested despite his health condition is inhumane and raises serious concerns about the working methods of the ED. This arrest is a part of the continued attack on India's opposition, and it undermines the very foundations of our democracy. We stand in solidarity with Balaji and all those opposition leaders who have been victims of BJP's undemocratic targeting"

(With PTI Inputs)