MLA held as Badagas war over association property

UDHAGAMANDALAM: Tension prevailed in Ooty on Thursday as police arrested Ooty AIADMK MLA M Bhuddhichandran and 25 of his supporters.
Over the past few months, there were frequent clashes between two groups, both belonging to Badaga community, over taking possession of the ‘Young Badaga Association’ (YBA), a fifty year old association registered under Society’s Act.
After five years, an election for the association was held and on August 2 this year, a new body with Bhuddhichandran as the new president, was elected.
However, on Thursday, when T Gundan, ex-MLA (DMK) and former president of YBA and his supporters walked to the YBA building, located near Charing Cross in Ooty, to take possession of it citing the recent high court direction, president Bhuddhichandran and his supporters tried to prevent the rival party from entering the building.
“As per the court order to restrain the respondent from preventing the former president and his supporters to enter the building, we arrested Bhuddhichandran and 25 of his supporters,” said G S Anitha, Ooty town DSP. However, after three hours, the Ooty MLA and his supporters were released.
According to J B Subramaniam, a long time member of the YBA who acted as an interim president of the association, the newly elected members of the association are running the show.
“However, the opposition headed by T Gundan broke into the YBA building on Thursday morning. In this connection we have registered a case with the police,” said Subramaniam.
According to him, before the election was conducted, Gundan was holding the president post beyond the stipulated time limit. He also claimed that in 2012 a sum of Rs50lakh was spent from the association account which was not in accordance with the association’s bye-laws to renovate the building. It is more than three months since we lodged a complaint in this connection. But the police is yet to file an FIR in this regard,” said Subramaniam.
All was well with the YBA till 2006. In 2006, Gundan was elected as president of the association. After the lapse of his two year term in office, he did not initiate any effort to conduct the election. This was when the problem started, and it continues till today, dividing the community, said a member of the YBA.
Also, as per the original deed of the association formed in 1961, biennial elections are to be conducted regularly to elect fresh office bearers for the association.