After months of braving controversies and verbal brawls, Vishal finally emerged victorious in the Tamil Nadu Film Producers Council elections that were held on Sunday. Vishal won by a margin of 144 votes, garnering a total of 478 votes, and has been elected to the post of President. Prakash Raj and Gautham Menon have been elected as Vice Presidents, and SR Prabhu of Dream Warriors is the new treasurer. While KE Gnanavel Raja won one of the secretary posts, the other went to S Kathiresan from Kothanda Ramiah’s team.
Addressing the press after the victory, Vishal said that voters will not be disappointed in their choice, and that it will be the dawn of a new era in the film industry. “Our team thanks everyone that has made this possible, and the next two years will be the golden years in Tamil film industry,” he’s quoted as saying.
The Marudhu actor also added that “a young team” has won, and is ready to challenge Tamil Rockers as part of their plans to end piracy. One of his first tasks as President, Vishal said, would involve sorting out the issues of a few producers as well as helping the TN farmers who are protesting in Delhi.
Earlier on election day, actor Parthiepan said in a video-interview that the TFPC, which functioned like a “panchayat” previously, would become more of a “corporate company” under Vishal.
Nasser, though, chose to be diplomatic, and declared that all accusations and skirmishes aside, the new team would continue to have the same responsibilities as the old. Prakash Raj, on the other hand, quoted a famous quote: Maatram ondre maaradhadhu!
The TFPC elections were held at Kandasamy Naidu College in Anna Nagar, Chennai, with former High Court judge Rajeshwaran presiding as the Election Officer.
Soon after Vishal’s victory, support poured in for the actor on social media.
And he wins! @VffVishal #VishalKrishna becomes d new President of #TamilnaduFilmProducersCouncil !Way to go bro?????Congo to d whole team
— Shanthnu Buddy (@imKBRshanthnu) April 2, 2017
#Vishal becomes the Most Powerful Man in #Kollywood – President of Producers Council and Secretary of Nadigar Sangam.. pic.twitter.com/wbG5YRTaku
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) April 2, 2017
#Vishal is new president of #TFPC. Out of 1059 votes polled #Vishal got 476, #Radhakrishnan 332, #KR 224,Invalid 27. pic.twitter.com/6N8MDxQ3vf
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) April 2, 2017
My super friend #Vishal proves it once again tat good will always win..??????
— khushbusundar (@khushsundar) April 2, 2017
Vishal hasn’t had an easy victory, and was accused of being a liar in the run-up to the elections.
The actor was also banned from the council last year because of his remarks against it. His nomination papers were withheld for a while due to the ban.
The list of winners:
President:
Vishal – 478 Votes ( Namma Ani ) winner
Radha krishnan – 332 Votes
KR – 224 Votes
Vice Presidents:
Prakash Raj – 408 Votes ( Namma Ani ) winner
Recommended
Gautham Vasudev Menon – 357 Votes
( Namma Ani ) winner
K.Rajan -269 Votes
Suresh Kamatchi -191 Votes
A.M.Ratnam -294 Votes
P.T.Selva Kumar -216 Votes
Secretary:
K.E.Gnanavelraja – 373 Votes ( Namma Ani ) Winner
Mysskin -242 Votes
Kathiresan -415 Votes (K.R.Team) Winner
A.L.Azhagappan -161 Votes
Siva Shakthi Pandian -206 Votes
J.S.K.Sathish -237 Votes
Treasurer:
S.R.Prabhu -394 votes ( Namma Ani ) Winner
Vijaya Murali -212 Votes
S.A.ChandraSekar -326 Votes