The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday denied that it has any direct or indirect connection with Malayalam film actress Shwetha Menon or the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) after accusations surfaced that the party was using the actress to influence the industry.
The party’s press office said the allegations were “baseless” and that it has no affiliation with Menon or with AMMA. The statement was issued on the party’s official Twitter account and was also posted on its website.
In a separate interview, the BJP’s spokesperson for Kerala, B. Ramesh, said the party had no role in the formation of AMMA or in any of its activities. “We respect the autonomy of industry bodies and do not interfere in their internal affairs,” Ramesh told reporters.
The controversy began after a video clip posted on social media showed Menon speaking at an AMMA event. Critics claimed that the clip was part of a broader strategy to align the film community with the BJP. Menon, however, has repeatedly stated that her participation in AMMA events is purely professional and that she has no political affiliations.
AMMA’s president, G. Sankaran, denied any political backing for the organization. “AMMA remains a non‑partisan body dedicated to the welfare of artists,” Sankaran said in a statement released on the association’s website.
The BJP’s denial comes as the party prepares for the upcoming state elections in Kerala, where it is seeking to expand its influence in the southern state. Political analysts note that the party has previously courted the film fraternity in the region, but no formal ties have been documented.
No evidence has surfaced to confirm that the BJP has exerted influence over AMMA or Shwetha Menon. The party’s claims and the statements from Menon and AMMA remain unverified beyond the public statements cited above.
Analysis: The BJP’s prompt denial suggests an attempt to distance itself from any perceived political interference in the film industry, a sector that has historically been politically active in Kerala. The lack of concrete evidence linking the party to AMMA or Menon means the allegations remain unsubstantiated. The party’s response may be aimed at pre‑empting further scrutiny ahead of the state elections, where media attention on political affiliations of public figures is heightened. The situation underscores the broader trend of political parties seeking influence in cultural institutions, a strategy that often faces public backlash when perceived as overt.
Sources
Hindustan Times, “BJP denies link to Shwetha Menon amid row over AMMA,” https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-denies-link-to-shwetha-menon-amid-row-over-amma-101783280105581.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
