The Chennai Press Club witnessed a landmark moment on Sunday as elections to its managing committee were held after a 25-year hiatus, marking a significant event in the club’s history. With an impressive voter turnout of 91.27%, 1,371 of the 1,502 registered members cast their votes. The elections, last conducted in 1999, were revived following persistent efforts by the Special Guidance Committee (SGC) led by leftist journalist N. Ram.
There is an obvious common thread running among the contestants – leaning towards the ruling party. At the outset, the election saw the ultra-pro-DMK faction decisively defeating the less pro-DMK faction, underlining the influence of political alignments within the press club.
Shabbir Ahmed of The News Minute was also contesting the elections under the Team Unity.
United for a cause
Vote for #TeamUnity ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/dfeeC9ok3m
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) December 14, 2024
Team Justice had the below contestants.
Vote for
'League For Justice'
December 15,2024.
Venue : Chennai Press Club, Chepauk pic.twitter.com/79MTpPnC1U
— League For Justice (@LeagueForJ9783) December 10, 2024
It is noteworthy that members of Team Unity had recently been seen questioning the efficiency of the ruling government – albeit mildly.
A total of 44 candidates contested various positions, including president, vice presidents, general secretary, treasurer, joint secretary, and five committee members.
Members turned out in large numbers at the polling booths, with voting held from 10 AM to 5 PM. Retired Madras High Court judge Justice V. Bharathidasan, appointed as the election officer by the SGC, conducted the election with assistance from Assistant Election Officers P.E. Pandiarajan and Lakshmipriya Muthuramalingam.
The election was not without its unique moments. V.N. Swami, a 95-year-old member and the oldest voter, traveled all the way from Madurai to cast his vote.
The team comprising of members from Dinakaran, News18 Tamil Nadu, Puthiya Thalaimurai, One India Tamil, and The Hindu swept key positions in the committee.
- President: M. Suresh Vedhanayagam (Dinakaran), elected with 659 votes.
- Vice Presidents: J. Madhan (News18 Tamil Nadu) and K. Sundhara Bharathi (Puthiya Thalaimurai TV), securing 599 and 580 votes, respectively.
- General Secretary: M. Haseef, a freelancer, emerged victorious with 734 votes.
- Treasurer: S. Manikandan (Jaya TV), with an 803-vote margin.
- Joint Secretary: Nelson Xavier (One India Tamil).
- Committee Members: Akhila Easwaran (The Hindu), S. Palanivel (Polimer TV), M. Vijaya Gopal (ANI), P. Stalin (Puthiya Thalaimurai TV), and M. Gavaskar (Theekkathir).
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