CHENNAI: With fans of thespian Sivaji Ganesan inviting political leaders to lend support to their hunger strike seeking construction of a memorial for the legendary actor, the possibility of DMK treasurer MK Stalin, DMDK founder Vijayakant and TNCC president EVKS Elangovan sharing the dais appears very bright.
In 2002, the AIADMK government had allocated over 25,000 sq ft in Adyar to build a memorial for the evergreen hero and bhoomi pooja was performed by the South Indian Film Artistes Association. But there has been no progress after that. Fans of the versatile actor, who has been lauded by Oscar winners like Marlon Brando, have planned the hunger strike on July 21, the death anniversary of the Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, to demand construction of the memorial.
While Elangovan, a die-hard fan of Sivaji Ganesan, has given his consent to take part in the fast, leaders of other parties have promised to either attend the event or depute a senior functionary, said J Sivaji Krishnamurthy, general secretary of the Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan Samooga Nala Peravai. “We want the State government to build the memorial instead of the film artistes association as it will bring honour to the great actor. The land allocated by the State government has not been taken over by the artistes association so far,” he added.
Vice president of the peravai M Giridharan said, “We met all the leaders in the State and invited them to the fast. We met DMK leader M Karunanidhi, who is a close friend of Sivaji Ganesan, and sought his participation. He has promised to send Stalin or Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi. Vijayakant, who has great respects for Sivaji, has been invited. While Congress leader Elangovan and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan gave their immediate consent, MDMK leader Vaiko assured to send party deputy general secretary E Sathya as he has another programme to attend. Fans of Sivaji Ganesan, the first Indian actor to be made a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, will take part in the fast in huge numbers.”