Home
Tamil film body poll acquires political colour
India's News.Net
Saturday 5th July, 2008 (IANS)
The elections to the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) acquired political colours Saturday as the two main groups traded charges against each other.
The elections are scheduled for Sunday.
Openly backed by the ruling DMK, director K. Ramanarayanan, incumbent president of the body and a contestant, appealed for votes from all concerned if the Tamil film industry wanted continuance of subsidies from the state government, doyens of tinsel town told IANS.
'The pro-opposition group sponsored by Sun TV wants to control the entertainment business through the back door. But, if it does, it will result in the entire industry losing out on excellent opportunities made available by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi,' Ramanarayanan was quoted as saying.
The opposition sponsored group backed by Sarath Kumar and led by his wife Raadhika, who is an actress and a media mogul, claimed its rival group was introducing a regional chauvinism element into the elections by keeping out professionals holding posts in other bodies belonging to non-Tamil denominations, said a statement issued by the South Indian Artistes' Association.
'This move will imperil the careers of virtually 70 percent of actors and actresses,' the statement said.
Kumar is the president of SIAA and also heads a political party.
Introduction of a new rule to avoid contests by rivals by Ramanarayanan was struck down by the Madras High Court recently enabling Raadhika group's continuance in the fray as an aspirant for the post of general secretary.
A control over TFPC will accord continuation of film software to a plethora of television channels, film industry insiders said.
Handicapped by the strong arm tactics of the ruling DMK, the Sun Group as well as other opposition owned channels are on the back foot due to non-availability of highly sought after film software.
In an earlier litigation, courts had heard allegations of rigging during last elections that had resulted in the victory of Ramanarayanan.
The High Court has ordered video-coverage to ensure free and fair polls.
 Email this story to a friend
Have your say on this story
|
 |
 |
- Andhra not to probe land sale to IT firms
Hyderabad, Aug 28 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government Thursday rejected the opposition's demand for a assembly committee to probe alleged irregularities in allotment of land to information technology (IT) companies and special economic zones (SEZs). [read story]
- One million people in Bihar need to be evacuated: minister
Saharsa (Bihar), Aug 28 (IANS) At least one million marooned people need to be evacuated to safe places in Bihar, where over 2.5 million people have been affected by floods, Bihar Disaster Management Minister Nitish Mishra said Thursday, even as the situation remained grim. [read story]
- Buddhadeb wrong, shutdown a fundamental right: CPI-M
New Delhi, Aug 28 (IANS) Refuting West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's widely publicised comments that he was against 'bandhs', the Communist Party of India-Marxist Thursday asserted that it firmly stood for the right to strike by the working class as a fundamental right. [read story]
- Major Uttar Pradesh rivers in spate, flowing above danger mark
Lucknow, Aug 28 (IANS) Major rivers in Uttar Pradesh including Gomti, Sharda, and Kuwano are in spate following torrential rains across the state, officials said Thursday. Some of the rivers have crossed the danger mark at various points. [read story]
- Bihar floods a national calamity: PM
Patna, Aug 28 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday announced an immediate assistance of Rs.10 billion to Bihar for rescue and relief operations and 125,000 tonnes of food grains to thousands hit by the worst floods in recent memory after the swollen Kosi river changed course. [read story]
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
