Hyderabad: Movie Artistes Association (MAA) office-bearers today condemned the allegations of misappropriation of funds.
Talking to mediapersons here today, association president Sivaji Raja and treasurer Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao asked the complainants to prove their charge with evidence. Reacting to the allegations that MAA misappropriated funds in the silver jubilee celebrations, Sivaji Raja challenged that he would give away his entire personal property if any one proved even five paisa were misappropriated. Besides, he would also pull out from the association permanently, he said, adding that the critics were leveling baseless charges against him as the MAA elections were approaching.
Vice-president Srikanth also challenged that if the allegations come true, he will leave the MAA immediately. On an earlier occasion, Naresh, General Secretary of MAA said they have some differences on some issues and they are going to sort them out soon. He clarified there is no truth in the allegations of diversion of the funds raised for MAA building. ’50 Members of MAA attended US Event of Chiranjeevi garu. This is the biggest event ever conducted by the Association. We received the agreement amount from the US organizer and that’s what matters the most.
“Whether the organizer earns profit or incurs, MAA will have nothing to do with it. When my name appeared in the media, I asked general secretary Naresh to issue a clarification by attending the press meet but he didn’t come. I won’t visit MAA office again and cancel my membership as well if anyone could prove there is a shortage of at least 5 paisa of the Agreement Amount. That’s my open challenge! Are those who made allegations ready to make the same challenge?,’ he shotback.
MAA Treasurer Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao denied division in MAA after the US Event. ‘Naresh couldn’t be here due to a film shoot. When we took charge a year ago, MAA had a fund of Rs 2.10 crore. Today, It has increased to Rs 5.60 crore. We are hopeful of achieving our target of Rs 10 crore with the upcoming events to be attended by Nagarjuna, Mahesh Babu and Prabhas. We wish to built a wonderful MAA Office and celebrate Silver Jubilee,’ he informed. (NSS)
