Actress Maala Parvathi has made serious allegations against Jagadish, who is contesting for the post of president in the office-bearer election of the star organisation, AMMA. Following the Hema Committee report and the allegations against General Secretary Siddique, Maala Parvathi alleged that Jagadish won applause while placing the organisation in crisis. According to her, Jagadish maintains a heroic image outwardly, but a large section within AMMA believes he has destabilised the organisation.

What Maala Parvathi told Mathrubhumi.com:

“Baburaj is someone with organisational skills. However, there is an understanding within the organisation that individuals facing allegations should not serve as office-bearers. Morally, Baburaj should not have filed his nomination to contest the election. This time, there is a tight contest. The office-bearers should be decided by the members' votes.”

Mohanlal’s resignation

It was alleged that the Malayalam film industry was in disarray due to AMMA. At that time, Mohanlal, who was the president, reportedly felt unsupported. “Lal sir was isolated. We all knew each other before – why did we become strangers so quickly?” he asked at the last general body meeting while addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram after the Hema Committee report. Parvathi suggested that he may have felt he was being attacked simply because he led AMMA.

AMMA has extended support to several members, providing aid and funding for medical treatment. A person like Mohanlal raises money for this through performances in stage shows, using his market value — not for personal gain. Members often fail to acknowledge this. Younger members have not assumed leadership roles. Perhaps he thought, “If I step away, will none of this continue? Then I will not continue.”

‘Baburaj should have stepped aside’

Since the allegations against Dileep, a general understanding emerged within AMMA that accused individuals should not be in leadership roles. The organisation acknowledged that its actions must be exemplary. Public sentiment was also in favour of a clean leadership. In Dileep’s case, there was even a demand for his expulsion from AMMA.

After Dileep, others too faced allegations. Vijay Babu was granted bail, and case documents suggested the allegations were not as grave as initially portrayed. The court stated the matter was different. Still, Vijay Babu stepped aside.

A case was also filed against Siddique, who got bail from the Supreme Court. He too stayed away. When an actress raised an allegation, Idavela Babu stepped aside. All of them acted out of courtesy. One person cannot be the exception. Many AMMA members are uncomfortable with someone saying, “Whatever happens, I’m on anticipatory bail, it’s not my concern, I will lead.”

Baburaj does have organisational capabilities and can unite members. It was during his tenure that a medical aid scheme was introduced for ailing members. However, when asked whether he should have contested again, Parvathi said: “Morally, he should not have.”

‘Jagadish put organisation in crisis while winning applause’

Whether Jagadish will succeed in the election remains to be seen. Members of AMMA are divided. Despite his heroic public image, Parvathi alleged that when the Hema Committee report was released, and representatives of AMMA, the Producers’ Association and FEFKA were preparing to face the media, it was Jagadish who opposed the move. Yet, during the Siddique issue, he addressed the media alone. Mohanlal and others were ready to speak, but Jagadish allegedly shut down that opportunity. His questions about why the members didn’t speak led to a major crisis. He won applause while plunging the organisation into turmoil.

“When I spoke openly about these matters recently, Jagadish called me,” Parvathi said. “He said, ‘You shouldn’t have said that, I didn’t expect it from you.’ I replied, ‘If there’s something you wish to clarify, you should speak to the media. If I’m wrong, I’ll correct myself.’ Jagadish said, ‘I don’t intend to speak, but not everything you said is true.’ I told him I only shared what I had heard. I don’t know if Jagadish has another side to the story.”

In a meeting attended by office-bearers of AMMA, the Producers’ Association, and FEFKA, there was a consensus to address the media on the day of the Hema Committee report’s release. Jagadish opposed it. The next day, during further discussion, he said, “Don’t meet the media. Don’t act foolishly,” and stopped everyone. However, when allegations emerged against Siddique, he held a press conference alone. A large section within AMMA believes this pushed the organisation into crisis.

The panel is not visible, but the attacks are collective

According to Parvathi, members of the ad hoc committee are united and supporting one another through a WhatsApp group called AMMAyude Penmakkal. Some support them; others are opposed. For example, Kukku Parameswaran is reportedly being targeted by online media and indirectly through the Penmakkal group, though not named explicitly. Sarayu is also allegedly disliked by the group and being attacked collectively, the reason for which is unclear.

Parvathi claimed that Suresh Krishna, Ansiba, Jayan Cherthala, Baburaj, and Navya all appear to be part of the same group. Though not officially declared as a panel, their actions suggest coordination. “When only a select few are repeatedly targeted, doesn’t it seem like a panel?” she asked.