Sarath Kumar clarifies Sangam’s land deal

The actor said, “When I became the office bearer of Nadigar Sangam during Vijayakanth’s tenure, the association had Rs 4.25 crore debts. We were breaking our heads as to how to repay including holding a Star Nite then. I suggested that I will have a word with the bank. Today, I can proudly say that with my discussions with bank officials, I brought down the debt to Rs 1. 25 crore promising to make a ‘onetime settlement’ to them. Then we settled the dues by collecting money from a few actors including Vijayakanth, Ajith and myself and raising the rest from Star Nite”.

Sarath clarified that the land is not missing as alleged by the opposing team. It is very much there. “We have not sold the land, but leased it out to SPI Cinemas for 29 years and 11 months and to construct the building”.

He says, “The decision to get into an agreement with SPI Cinemas was discussed several times in EC and general body meetings. That time all the 1,000 odd members, including Poochi Murugan, agreed to it and why oppose now?”.

On the allegation made by Pandavar Ani that he has demolished the building without approval Sarath said, “We got the relevant demolition order from corporation and then only demolished.(shows the proof of relevant papers).The actor said he is very much an accessible person and would have reconsidered the deal or reworked it if anyone approached him directly. “I have to know about this through newspapers when I returned from IIFA awards. They could have come to the sangam and asked. Someone is behind Vishal and instigating him,” Sarath alleged.