AMMA in chaos: Shwetha Menon quits membership, alleges 'conspiracy trap'

KOCHI: In a dramatic turn of events, actor Shwetha Menon has resigned from her primary membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The decision comes on the heels of a mass resignation by the association's 17-member executive committee, which she was leading as President.

Speaking to reporters after a tumultuous Annual General Body Meeting in Kochi, a visibly sharp Shwetha alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to unseat the leadership and stated she would soon expose the inner workings of the association.

"My committee and I have resigned, and I am also giving up my membership in AMMA. The organization is currently moving in a direction where it falls into the hands of the accused," Shwetha told the media.

She claimed that certain factions within the body attempted to push the committee out through hidden agendas without any direct communication. "I value my self-respect, which is why we chose to step down on our own terms. I am no longer a member, and I am free to speak out now," she added.

The actress also levelled serious allegations regarding the association’s financial management, specifically pointing to the tenure of actor Baburaj in the previous committee.

"I have all the financial records starting from September 1. There were significant discrepancies in the accounts managed during Baburaj’s time in the committee. I kept quiet back then, but now I am free to speak openly. This entire situation is a trap born out of a conspiracy," she stated.

The mass resignation of the 17-member panel comes less than a year after they took charge of the body. Following heated arguments and disputes during Sunday's AGM, the entire committee decided to step down abruptly, cutting their tenure short.

With the elected leadership stepping down en masse, the administration of AMMA will now be handed over to an ad-hoc committee to oversee day-to-day operations until a new governing body is formed.