AMMA power struggle deepens as Shwetha Menon questions ad hoc committee's legitimacy

Kochi, July 3 ( IANS)  A fresh power struggle has erupted in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), with former president Shwetha Menon challenging the legitimacy of the newly constituted ad hoc committee and asserting that her executive committee remains in office until fresh elections are held.

The development comes less than two weeks after AMMA's Annual General Body (AGB) meeting on June 21, where Shwetha Menon and the entire executive committee announced their resignation amid growing opposition from a section of members.

The AGB subsequently approved a nine-member ad hoc committee, headed by Congress MLA Ramesh Pisharody and including former five-time MLA K.B. Ganesh Kumar, to oversee the organisation until elections are conducted.

The dispute intensified after the ad hoc committee met in Kochi on Friday.

Responding through a detailed social media statement, Shwetha rejected the allegations, saying that under AMMA's by-laws, an outgoing executive committee continues to exercise administrative authority until a new committee is elected.

She also contended that the ad hoc committee has no legal standing and accused vested interests of attempting to mislead members and hijack the organisation.

Shwetha further disclosed that a group of 10 to 15 members had arrived at the June 21 meeting with a pre-prepared resolution seeking the resignation of her executive committee.

Shwetha Menon claimed that the resolution, which contained what she described as baseless allegations, failed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority required under the association's by-laws and therefore carried no legal validity. She also said she would no longer remain silent in the face of repeated attempts to tarnish her reputation.

The latest developments have also revived comparisons with last year's leadership transition following the resignation of the executive committee headed by veteran actor Mohanlal.

Members close to Shwetha argue that Mohanlal's outgoing committee had been allowed to continue in a caretaker capacity after stepping down and that the same convention has not been extended to the present executive committee.

However, those backing the new arrangement point to a crucial distinction.

While Mohanlal's committee had voluntarily resigned in the aftermath of the Hema Committee controversy, Shwetha announced her resignation dramatically at the June 21 AGB as a no-confidence motion against her leadership was poised to be taken up.

Supporters of the ad hoc committee argue that the unanimous approval granted by the General Body gives the interim arrangement its mandate, setting the stage for a legal and organisational battle over who will control AMMA until fresh elections are held.