Sarath Kumar's resignation turned down

Sarath Kumar has been persuaded to continue in the post of president of the South India Film Artistes Association (Thenindia Nadigar Sangam) till the end of his term.

He had submitted his resignation a couple of days ago following his launching a political party named "Akila Indiya Samathuva Makkal Katchi" (AISMK) and requested the association to relieve him of the post as he could not function effectively as he continues to act in films.

The executive committee of the association, which held a special meeting on Sept.9, turned down the actor's resignation. The meeting was attended by 24 executive members and six nominated members besides a large number of members of the association.

Association general secretary Radha Ravi presided over the meeting which commenced at 7 a.m. and continued till 9 pm. Vice-presidents Vijayakumar and Manorama, Treasurer K.N. Kalai and joint secretaries S.S. Chandran and K.R. Selvaraj were also present.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, Radha Ravi said the executive as also members of the association had rejected Sarath Kumar's resignation and taken a unanimous decision that he should continue in the post till the end of his term which has still two years to go.

Radha Ravi pointed out that Sarath Kumar's predecessor; Vijayakanth had held the post for 1-1/2 years after starting his party. The association also had presidents belonging to various political parties. The meeting unanimously decided that Sarath Kumar should continue till the next elections to complete the schemes he had initiated after taking over from Vijayakanth to strength the association.

Sarath Kumar, who had earlier in the day called on former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, told mediapersons that since it was a unanimous decision, "I respect their feelings and would continue as the president of the SIAA till the end of my tenure of next two years".