Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure dismiss allegations of financial irregularities and dictatorship in CINTAA feud

Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure dismiss allegations of financial irregularities and dictatorship in CINTAA feud

File image of Padmini Kolhapure and Poonam Dhillon

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A rift has opened in the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) after President Poonam Dhillon and Senior VP Padmini Kolhapure have been accussed of running a ‘dictatorship.’ The conflict has led to the resignation of 11 of 21 Executive Committee members.

There is an ongoing feud happening among top officials of the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA). Days after the association’s General Secretary Upasana Singh accused CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon and Senior Vice President Padmini Kolhapure of “dictatorship”, Dhillon has responded to the allegations at a recent press conference.

Several senior members of the Executive Committee quit earlier this month, accusing Dhillon and Kolhapure of mismanagement and financial irregularities.

Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure deny allegations

Days later, Dhillon has defended her stance and addressed the allegations of financial irregularities. According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, the veteran actress called the allegations baseless and false.

“Every penny raised is fully accounted for and reaches its rightful beneficiary. Not a single rupee is used for personal gain. We have zero tolerance for anything illegal or unconstitutional. Our work stands on transparency, accountability and facts and the records speak for themselves”

Padmini Kolhapure also dismissed Upasana's allegations as untrue and said, ”The allegations made by Upasana Singh are entirely untrue and without basis. The funds we raise are handled with utmost responsibility and are directed to the people and causes they are meant for. They are never diverted for our personal use. We have always maintained a strict stand against anything unlawful or unconstitutional. Our only priority is to ensure that the purpose behind every contribution is honoured with complete integrity.”

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Also read: CINTAA Row: 8 resign amid charges against Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure

Trouble at CINTAA

Earlier this month, 11 members of the 21-member Executive Committee resigned from CINTAA and called for fresh elections. The resignations were submitted to Upasana Singh, who accepted them in her capacity as the General Secretary of the association.

The members who resigned are Hemant Pandey, Mukesh Rishi, Sahila Chadha, Heta Parmar, Puneet Issar, Vindu Dara Singh, Vikas Verma and Deepak Parashar, among others.

The members resigned, stating that decisions for the association were mostly made by CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon and Senior VP Padmini Kolhapure, with some other members of the Executive Committee not consulted.

The members also alleged that Dhillon had taken several key decisions independently, including communicating with government officials through her personal ID and deciding on communications with industry bodies through the association's official ID.

Upasana Singh had earlier told Hindustan Times that one of the main reasons for disagreements came over the manner in which disciplinary actions were allegedly being taken against artistes. She claimed that those who did not agree were given show-cause notices.

She also said that, according to CINTAA's constitution, the resignation of at least half of the committee leads to its dissolution and fresh elections. However, she claimed that Poonam and her associates had not resigned. “Our constitution says that if more than half of the people resign, or even 50% resign, then our committee breaks down and re-election is announced. This is our constitution,” she said.

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Shomini has written on entertainment and lifestyle for most of her career. Having watched innumerable Bollywood potboilers of the 1990s, writing for cinema came as an easy option t...Read More