Elections to the Tamil Film Directors’ Association is likely to be held on July 21. An official announcement with details about the venue is yet to be out.
As of now, Bharathiraja is the only director contesting for the post of president. He was unanimously selected for the post after a resolution was passed by the general body on June 10 at Kamala Theatre in Chennai. But in less than a month, Bharathiraja quit the post saying that he foresaw problems in being a leader without having contested elections. Sources said that a few members of the association were of the view that the resolution by the general body did not count as a unanimous selection, and vouched for voting as the more democratic method.
Bharathiraja wrote in a letter to the association members: “I was selected as president of the Sangam unanimously by members, directors and office bearers last month and I thank you for choosing me. However, I am well aware of the problems that will arise from being appointed without elections. So, I volunteer to resign from my post to facilitate elections in a democratic way. I will continue offering my guidance and support for the association’s future.”
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Following this, there were reports that director SP Jananathan, who was the treasurer when director Ameer was president, is likely to contest elections with the support of a few members. But the director denied the reports and told Silverscreen, “I have only been asking for elections. It’s not right for me to contest when there are several others. There should be an elected body because for two times now we have had a non-elected president. This should not become the norm. Bharathiraja sir himself has come forward asking for elections, and that’s the opinion of many other members as well.”
Bharathiraja succeeded director Vikraman who was the president for three consecutive terms, and was also elected by the general body in 2015. Vikraman has clarified that he will also not be contesting this elections.
Meanwhile, Bharathiraja currently also heads the ad-hoc committee that is helping manage the affairs of the Tamil Film Producers’ Council. An elections to the TFPC are likely to be announced soon.