Almost every passing moment, the stars who had gathered at St. Ebbas School for the Nadigar Sangam elections seem to be going through a frisson of anxiety, fear and even disappointment.
Yes, for some actors, disappointment has been the overriding emotion of the day. 240 members of the Sangam found out that they could not cast their vote, as they have defaulted on payment of membership fee.
Sachu, who was denied a vote, said, “Just because I have been denied a vote, I don’t cease to be an actress. I have been an actor since MGR days. I have renewed my membership until 2017 by paying Rs. 5, 000 in 2007. Why am I being denied the right to vote?” she asks.
Some members were allegedly denied voting rights because they did not have ID cards.
“I feel sad that artistes from other states who have done hundreds of films have not been allowed to vote because they don't have their ID cards. This issue must be resolved at the earliest,” says actor Ambika.
Reactions from these members varied, ranging from anger to indifference.
Mansoor Ali Khan has been denied a vote as he was previously ejected from the Sangam’s membership.
“But I won’t go to court for this,” he said.
