Could Actress Shwetha Menon Shatter the Glass Ceiling in AMMA?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shwetha Menon may become the first female president of AMMA.
- Jagadish's withdrawal clears the path for her candidacy.
- There are 74 nominations submitted for various posts.
- Voting will determine the outcome if other candidates do not withdraw.
- Approximately 500 members will participate in the voting process.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 29 (NationPress) With only two days remaining for the withdrawal of nominations for the 17-member executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), it seems increasingly likely that renowned actress Shwetha Menon may become the first female president in the organization’s 30-year male-dominated history.
The situation appears favorable following the announcement from actor and comedian Jagadish, 70, who has indicated his intention to withdraw his nomination for the presidential position.
A total of 74 nominations have been submitted for various roles, and clarity on whether Shwetha will make history or if voting will be necessary for the top position and others will only emerge on Thursday—the last day for withdrawal.
The AMMA governing body consists of a president, two vice-presidents, a general secretary, a joint secretary, a treasurer, and 11 executive members.
Approximately 500 AMMA members are eligible to participate in the voting process.
In an interview with IANS, Jagadish mentioned that he had sought advice from seasoned actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi before submitting his nomination.
“In 2021, there was a general sentiment that two women should be appointed as vice-presidents. Upon hearing that, I chose to withdraw my nomination. Now, discussions about a woman leading our organization are underway. I felt it was wrong to stand in the way,” Jagadish elaborated.
“I consulted with the three senior actors again, and they held the same opinion. Thus, I have decided to step aside,” he conveyed to IANS.
However, he noted that several factors still need to align. “There are four other candidates vying for the presidency, including Shwetha. If the other contenders do not withdraw, we will proceed to an election. We’ll have to wait and see if she is elected unopposed,” Jagadish stated.