Ponvannan resigns as Nadigar Sangam vice-president following Vishal’s political move

CHENNAI: Actor and director Ponvannan has resigned as vice-president of South Indian Artistes’ Association (Nadigar Sangam), following the actor body general secretary Vishal’s foray into politics.
Ponvannan was part of the ‘Pandavar Ani’ that swept the Nadigar Sangam elections held in October 2015.
In his resignation letter, Ponvannan stated that he was unable as vice-president to respond to criticism about Vishal’s decision to contest the RK Nagar byelection. Vishal, whose nomination for the bypoll was rejected, had declared that it was his independent decision to contest.
Ponvannan said, “The Nadigar Sangam comprises people from all parties. Because of this, we had decided that the administration would be independent of political affiliations.”
Sangam president Nasser, Vishal and others were in talks with Ponvannan, hoping to retain him in the office.
Karunas, who is also a vice-president, contested the state assembly election last year and got elected from the Thiruvadanai constituency in Ramanathapuram district. Sangam members had demanded the resignation of Karunas following his electoral victory, but the office-bearers managed to silence those voices.