Nadigar Sangam election ends amid high drama

CHENNAI: What happens when hundreds of film personalities, including directors, heroes, heroines, villains and comedians come together? An election replete with claims, counterclaims, allegations of malpractice and impersonation, it turns out.
Kamal Haasan sprang to Rajnikanth’s defence. “Postal votes are critical … some got missed out due to postal delays. It is unfortunate that Rajinikanth and a few others could not vote because of that,” Kamal said.
Pandavar Ani secretary candidate Ishari Ganesh said at least 350 members could not vote due to the short notice at which the election was held. “Several outstation members did not receive postal ballots,” said Bhagyaraj.
Nasser dismissed the allegations over irregularities. “We cannot accept criticism of courts and its procedures. Elections were held successfully and 85% members voted,” Nasser said.
On tenterhooks were not just the warring sides, but also police, who were asked to ensure a peaceful election at St Ebbas Higher Secondary School in Mylapore. The venue was the same as that of the 2015 election in which the Pandavar Ani trumped the rival group headed by R Sarathkumar and Radha Ravi with the promise to complete the construction of Nadigar Sangam building—something that remains unfulfilled.