Sivaji Raja goes on the offensive!

Over the last one year, the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) has regularly been in the news due to its infighting. With the recent elections and a new team in place, everyone thought that the controversy had ended. However, it appears that the fight is far from over.  

Recently, newly elected president Naresh accused Sivaji Raja of obstructing him and not allowing him to take the oath. He also criticised the former MAA president in many ways.  Not one to take things lying down, Sivaji Raja soon went on an offensive. “There are by-laws which state that the elections will be held in March and the president takes oath on April 1. I am simply following that law. I don’t know why Naresh held a press meet,” he said, adding that he was hurt by Naresh’s open criticism of him in front of the media.

Further, Sivaji Raja urged Naresh to show the contents of a ‘file’ which the latter keeps bringing up.

“What is in the file? Open and show it in front of the media, stop threatening,” said an irate Sivaji Raja, who also brought up Naresh’s lavish spends.

“Recently Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, Naresh and I went to Malaysia for a film event. We all got business class tickets but while Paruchuri and I stayed in a normal room, Naresh stayed in a suite. Also, he got drunk and missed the flight, forcing the organisers to book him on another flight. Isn’t that a waste of money?” he asked. The former president also said that he does not want to go to the office anymore. “I will go when the new president is taking charge as it is the norm, but I don’t want to go otherwise. Why should I obstruct them? I have neither the manpower nor money power like them,” said Sivaji Raja, questioning Naresh about Mahesh Babu’s programme in the US.

“We were able to earn some money from Chiranjeevi garu’s event in the US but everyone knows why Mahesh Babu’s event got cancelled. Naresh should explain when and where the programme will be held,” he challenged.

As for Naga Babu’s support to the Naresh panel, the former president said, “Naga Babu and I have been friends for the last 30 years. I will soon give him a return gift.”

On a parting note, he added, “I waited for three days after Naresh held a media conference and accused me. Since the TFI committee didn’t respond, I was forced to call this press conference.”