MAA Elections: Vishnu Manchu Defeats Prakash Raj, Becomes New President

Actor Vishnu Manchu was elected the new president of the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) on Sunday, defeating actor Prakash Raj by a margin of 106 votes.

According to The News Minute, MAA election officer Krishna Mohan announced the final vote count on Sunday night. Manchu had secured 380 votes to Prakash Raj’s 274.

The newly elected members of the executive committee are from both sides. While Manchu was elected as the president of MAA, Srikanth (from Prakash Raj’s side) is the new executive vice president. Madala Ravi was elected as the vice president and Raghu Babu as the general secretary. Uttej and Gowtham Raj are the joint secretaries, and Siva Balaji is the treasurer.

Soon after the results came out, actor-producer Nagendra Babu, who supported Prakash Raj, announced his resignation from the primary membership of MAA. He took to social media and wrote, “Movie Artistes Association is filled with regionalism and narrow-mindedness. I do not want to continue with an association like this.”

Manchu took to Twitter on Monday morning and wrote that he was humbled by the support he has received from the film fraternity. He added that he will address the public once the entire election results are announced.

Polling took place on Sunday morning at Jubilee Hills Public School. Out of the 883 eligible MAA members, 605 turned up to vote. Actors Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Mohan Babu, Jaya Prada, Roja and Genelia, were among the many who cast their votes.

Recommended

Doctor Review: Mostly Well-Made Comedy-Drama That is Big on Laughs

Dave Chappelle Called Out for Transphobic Comments in his new Netflix Special

‘Biskoth’ Will Be For Santhanam What ‘Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi’ Was For Vadivelu: Director Kannan

On the other hand, several prominent actors, including Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR,  Allu Arjun, Prabhas, Ravi Teja and Naga Chaitanya, skipped voting.

The results come after a heated campaign from both sides. Manchu and Prakash Raj engaged in a war of words last week during their election campaign. Prakash Raj alleged that Manchu and his family were resorting to unethical practices to win the elections. Manchu countered with a warning to not drag his family name into “petty politics.”

Prakash Raj had accused Manchu of trying to win the votes of senior actors by paying for their postal ballot votes. Denying all the allegations made against him, Manchu retorted that Prakash Raj has been creating a “nuisance” in every film industry.

The two were, however, reportedly spotted hugging each other and exchanging pleasantries on the day of the polling. Prakash Raj even shook hands with Mohan Babu, father of Manchu, and took his blessings.