Key office bearer of TN actor's body resigns; not accepted

A key office bearer of a Tamil actor's body has tendered his resignation opposing it's general secretary Vishal Krishna's vain bid to contest the December 21 RK Nagar by poll, though the association did not accept it.
Noted actor Ponvannan wrote to South Indian Artistes' Association (SIAA) President M Nasser, protesting against Vishal's decision, saying it was in "contradiction" to their earlier decision to remain "without politics."
The letter, dated December 4, when Vishal filed his nomination to the bypoll, which was later rejected, was made available to the media today.
Ponvannan told Nasser that their team had been lauded for remaining apolitical "unlike past" regimes, where some members like former SIAA chief R Sarathkumar were also active in politics.

On many occasions this had been made clear in the media and the team was even lauded by late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for their said decision, he said.
As a result, they had met, among others, DMK president M Karunanidhi, he said.

However "I was shocked to see our (general) Secretary (Vishal) having filed his nomination for RK Nagar bypoll. Though its someone's personal decision to involve in politics, isn't it contradictory to what we spoke about earlier (on being apolitical)?" he asked.
He pointed out that the present team members had raised the same issue against some former office bearers and asked if it was fair for us "to do the same mistake."

He argued against using the fame acquired from the Artistes Association for political ambitions.
The actor expressed apprehension that he might "lose his individuality" in future if he continues in the post and therefore offered to quit.
Meanwhile,a special meeting of SIAA discussed Ponvannan's letter, but decided not to accept his resignation.
Nasser said in a statement that while respecting his sentiments it has been decided to give Ponvannan time to change his stance.
Nasser said that Vishal explained his stand and that he had not done anything in "contravention" of SIAA rules.
None, including him, should create "embarrassing situations" Nasser quoted Vishal as saying.