Chennai: In a significant resolution passed at the 63rd Annual General Meeting, the former president and secretary of the Nadigar Sangam — Sarath Kumar and Radha Ravi — were permanently removed from the primary membership.
Talking to press persons at the end of the three-hour AGM, office bearers Nasser, Vishal and Karthi jointly backed up the resolution saying, “We have solid proof of both Sarath and Radha Ravi indulging in misappropriation of Sangam funds and malpractices. Hence, after the EC meeting, we sought permission from the entire members who have gathered here to pass the resolution”.
Other important decisions discussed and passed included raising of the pension amount for retired artistes and all accounts from the previous regime, the last one year's accounts and the accounts of the star cricket were submitted and approved.
The officials also shed light on Sarath Kumar and Radha Ravi having amended the Sangam's laws in their favour. “As per Sangam's laws, there should be 9 members of the trust. But the duo made amendments in 2008 and recorded that 5 members were enough to approve any activity in the trust. And on top of it, they have made themselves as 'life members'. We are going back to the old system of 9 members,” they said.
On a query as to the status of the present sangam funds, Karthi said, “From scratch, we have built up the funds to the present Rs 8.5 crores”. On the status of the Sangam's building, “All the necessary process is going on. We are waiting for CMDA approval. Within three years, it will be completed”.
Ponvannan said, "The film which Vishal and Karthi are coming together to make is their personal choice. If they decide to give generously to Sangam from that it is welcome. We will approach all the actors for the movie with which we have planned to raise funds for the building”.
Earlier, Kamal Haasan wished the team through a Skype conversation as he could not make it to the meeting in person. In a statement sent by Sarath Kumar, he has said that his removal from the Nadidar Sangam is legally invalid and he would face it in the court.
Actors’ cars damaged
Two cars belonging to office bearers were damaged. The Toyota Innova of actor Karunaas, vice president of the Sangam, was damaged near the Sangam office in Habibullah Road in T Nagar where the AGM was on. Karunaas is also a sitting MLA from the ruling AIADMK camp. A couple of hours later a BMW car belonging to actor Vishal, general secretary of the Sangam, was stoned at his office in Kumaran Nagar, Vadapalani.
Police said that they had picked up as many as 18 people for the commotion at AGM venue and damaging the vehicle of Karunaas. “We are yet to receive a complaint from the actor turned MLA. At Vadapalani police station, Vishal's office staff had lodged a complaint saying that the actor's car was damaged by unknown persons,” police said.
