Chennai: Facing criticism that the funds have been misused, the Nadigar Sangam has now announced it would release the accounts for the controversial star cricket fundraiser through its website on Monday.
“We are making public the accounts of the ‘star cricket’ on our website on Monday so that even the public can view them. Our treasurer Karthi will release them online”, said Sangam general secretary Vishal, while participating in a Deepavali function at the Nadigar Sangam grounds on Sunday, which also marked the completion of one year in office for the Nasser-Vishal team. The event also witnessed distribution of Deepavali gifts of saris, dhotis and sweets to 3,000 indigent members.
“I request all those who had accused us of misappropriating the star cricket funds not to waste their time now making false complaints about the funding of this event here today as this has been made possible only through liberal help from Sundar C, Kushboo, Karthi, Soori, Bobby Simha and Ramaraj Cotton for the veshtis. We did not use the Sangam funds for this”, Vishal said.
The star cricket tournament was held at the MAC stadium in Chepauk on April 17 this year with almost the entire Kollywood participating and a large participation by Bollywood stars. Eight teams competed, playing six overs each, and Chennai Singams led by Suriya emerged the winner.
The proceeds from the ticket sales, TV rights and promos were to fund the Nadigar Sangam building project. In August, a Sangam member Varahi, who is the editor of Indian Reporter, alleged that the Sangam office-bearers misappropriated Rs 3 crore from the star cricket funds. The Sangam leadership denied the charge and with the baring of the accounts on its website on Monday, the controversy should rest.
In his speech at the Deepavali event, Vishal also said the issue of Sivakarthikeyan would be sorted out soon — the actor broke down at the ‘success function’ of his latest film Remo on October 12 alleging that vested interests had caused serious hurdles to its release. “We are here to help the actors and actresses. When they have an issue, they should come and approach the Sangam and we are ready to sort it out at any point of time. After all, at the end of the day, we want peace to prevail in the industry”.
The Sangam members at the function also prayed for the speedy recovery of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. It was also announced that the SIAA general body would be held on November 27.
