Nadigar Sangam elections invalid, Tamil Nadu government argues in HC

In Tuesday's proceedings at the Madras High Court, the Tamil Nadu government argued that the Nadigar Sangam elections should be declared invalid. It was posited that the election, which was conducted on June 23, was not in accordance with the by-laws of the association. The government also argued for the need to appoint a special officer to take care of the Sangam, explaining that the association doesn't have office bearers in place.

As the government intervened and filed a petition against the election, the counting has still not been completed. For now, the ballots are placed securely in a private bank in Chennai.

Earlier, multiple petitions were filed in the court regarding irregularities in the postal ballots and removal of names from the rolls just before the elections. It was also said that the erstwhile office bearers extended their stay at the helm of affairs even after the tenure ended.

Actor Nasser, the former Nadigar Sangam President, who has contested in the recently conducted polls, says “As the case is still in the court, I don’t want to voice my opinions. I have waited this long; I will continue to do so to see what is the result."   

Meanwhile, the lawyer, appearing for Vishal, argued in court that the government's intervention has not only delayed the result, but has prevented the smooth functioning of the Sangam.

Nasser adds, "It has to be said that ever since this case was filed, it has affected hundreds of theatre artistes as all the activities of Nadigar Sangam have been stopped."

Actor Udhaya, who contested for the post of Vice President from the opposing faction lead by K Bhagyaraj, says, "The petitions were filed by individual members of the Sangam who felt wronged by the irregularities. This is not about one faction vs the other. All we want is to get to the bottom of this issue as soon as possible to ensure a system is in place, the pensions are regulated, and the contentious Nadigar Sangam building is constructed soon."

The next hearing of the case is scheduled to happen on October 18.