Actor-turned-politician Jayasudha will take on comedian and character artiste Rajendra Prasad in the election to the post of president of Movie Artistes Association on March 29. Nominations for biennial elections to the prestigious body representing the Telugu film industry, and comprising 703 actors from the big screen, ended on Saturday.
Ms. Jayasudha is the first woman to contest for MAA presidency. Mohan Babu’s daughter Manchu Lakshmi and actor Sivakrishna will be the vice-presidents as they were the only ones to file nominations for the two posts.
While Ms. Jayasudha is supported by current MAA president M. Muralimohan, who had been elected unopposed for three consecutive terms, Mr. Rajendra Prasad is being backed by K. Nagendra Babu, the younger brother of megastar and Congress MP K. Chiranjeevi. Mr. Muralimohan had defeated Mr. Rajendra Prasad in the race for MAA presidency seven years ago.
Several factors, including political, have gone into the election of MAA this time and made it a touch-and-go affair. The members are virtually divided into two camps representing Mr. Muralimohan and Mr. Chiranjeevi. Caste and regional affiliations, the latter arising out of bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, have added a new dimension to the elections. The race assumed significance following Mr. Muralimohan’s announcement that his innings as MAA president had come to an end as he had served the body for three terms and wished someone else stepped into his shoes.
Following the announcement, Mr. Rajendra Prasad evinced interest to head MAA with the support of the ‘mega’ family. This led many to believe that he would be elected unanimously, until Ms. Jayasudha entered the fray. Both filed nominations on the last day amidst suspense.
Meanwhile, both groups are roping in seniors like Mr. Mohan Babu and Mr. Dasari Narayana Rao to influence the voters.
Simultaneously, efforts were also made to ensure unanimous election of the body at least for the post of president but without success.
Apart from the election of the president, polling will take place to elect the general-secretary, executive vice-president, treasurer, two joint secretaries and 18 executive committee members.
While Jayasudha is being backed by outgoing president
M. Muralimohan, Rajendra Prasad is believed to have the support of megastar Chiranjeevi’s family
