Chennai: Former DMK Minister Senthil Balaji, who filed his nomination papers to contest from the Coimbatore South constituency, has declared in his affidavit that he possesses a handgun and owes a debt of ₹9.35 lakh to the DMK party leadership. Balaji, who is engaged in agriculture and public service, provided detailed asset and liability information in his nomination documents.
According to his nomination papers, Senthil Balaji currently possesses movable assets worth ₹1.10 crore, up from ₹97.93 lakh during the 2021 elections. Movable assets worth ₹2 crore are held in his wife’s name. He owns 383 grams of gold, while his wife owns 1,019 grams of gold. He holds immovable assets valued at ₹1.35 crore. Balaji also declared that he possesses a handgun valued at ₹85,000.
Debt to DMK party
Balaji has stated that from the funds provided by the DMK party leadership to cover election expenses when he contested in the Karur constituency during the 2021 elections, a balance of ₹9.35 lakh remains unspent. This amount, representing a debt, is due to be repaid to the DMK. He has also declared a bank loan of ₹9.05 lakh, bringing his total declared debt to ₹9.35 lakh. Senthil Balaji owns two cars and a Tempo, while his wife owns a scooter.
Education and pending cases
Senthil Balaji discontinued his education halfway through his third year of a B.Com degree at the Government College in Karur. He has stated that there are 12 cases pending against him.
Senthil Balaji brother’s substitute candidacy
Balaji’s younger brother, Ashok Kumar, has filed nomination papers as the substitute candidate for Senthil Balaji in Coimbatore South. Ashok had also previously filed nomination papers as the substitute candidate for DMK nominee Thiagarajan in the Karur constituency. Regarding Ashok’s assets, it has been stated that there are pending income tax arrears amounting to ₹24.65 lakh, against which an appeal has been filed challenging the tax assessment. Ashok owns seven cars, one jeep, one truck, two scooters, 1,771 grams of gold, and immovable assets worth ₹2.2 crore.