AMMA crisis: In letter to members, Shwetha Menon says panel to ‘rectify lapses caused by lack of experience’

Actor Shwetha Menon, who reversed her earlier decision to step down as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), has sent a letter to its members stating that the executive committee led by her has initiated measures to correct its “lapses caused by lack of experience.”

She said the committee is “duty-bound” to move forward with more responsibility as the existing panel members will continue to carry out their responsibilities.

The actor had earlier vowed to continue in her post after publicly announcing her resignation at the stormy general body meeting of the association held in Kochi on June 21. The crisis emerged after a section of the members moved a no-confidence motion against the committee, alleging administrative and accounting lapses.

The letter said the daily affairs of the association, including disbursal of benefits to its employees, have not been affected since the general body meeting on June 21. “We have realised that several members have been pained by the discussions and differences of opinion aired at the meeting. Our priority is to ensure the welfare and security of all the members. We expect that you would continue to support us”, it said.

The letter to the members has come at a time when the Ernakulam Munsiff Court, which had stayed the formation of an ad-hoc committee at the general body meeting, is slated to hear the arguments by Ramesh Pisharody, actor and MLA, against the legal validity of the panel led by Ms. Menon.

He had announced his resignation from the post of convener of the ad-hoc committee following the court order on July 3. The rival faction has questioned the propriety of sending a letter by the panel led by Ms. Menon as they pointed out that the court is yet to consider the arguments against its legal standing.