Rift in AMMA: No end to impasse in Kerala film body as rival camps hold firm

The warring factions in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) in Kerala appear to be in no mood to relent amidst the continuing deadlock following the stay issued by the Ernakulam Munsiff court on the functioning of the ad-hoc committee formed at the general body meeting of the actors’ body held in Kochi on June 21.

The signs of a protracted legal battle emerged when actor Shwetha Menon, who had approached the court alleging that the ad-hoc committee was formed in violation of the laws of the association, opposed the plea by actor Ansiba Hassan to implead her in the case. The crisis had worsened after she announced that she would continue to remain president of the association, though she had announced her resignation at the general body meeting.

Ramesh Pisharody, actor and MLA, who resigned from the post of convener of the ad-hoc committee following the court order, will inform the court that Ms. Menon could not continue exercising her powers as she had publicly declared at the general body meeting that she and the entire executive committee stood resigned. He will also submit the argument that she had even announced before the media her resignation from the association’s primary membership. The court is slated to hear the case again on July 27.

A senior member of the ad-hoc committee said on Tuesday that he has not visited the association’s headquarters in Kochi after the court issued a stay on its functioning on July 3.

The current leadership led by Ms. Menon rejected reports that the association is staring at an administrative impasse following the legal battle between the rival factions. “We are visiting the office on alternate days to manage the various affairs, including disbursal of financial assistance and free distribution of medicine to the beneficiaries”, they said.

The key members of the rebel faction stated that they will await the decision of the Ernakulam Munsiff court before chalking out their next step.

They pointed out that the ad-hoc committee was formed at the annual general body meeting, which is the highest body of decision-making after Ms. Menon had announced her decision to step down.