FEFKA members resigned fearing ouster?

The sudden resignation of FEFKA (Film Employees Federation of Kerala) President Sibi Malayil and General Secretary B Unnikrishnan from their posts has set tongues wagging in the film industry. The directors had announced their decision at FEFKA's special convention held in Kochi earlier this week.
While Unnikrishnan had cited personal reasons behind the resignation, Malayalam Cine Technical Association (MACTA) president Baiju Kottarakkara, a friend of director Vinayan, has a different story to tell.It is the anticipated verdict against Unnikrishnan and Sibi Malayil from the Competition Commission of India, Delhi, that has led to them stepping down, he alleges, adding that director Vinayan had filed a complaint to the commission against FEFKA officials disrupting their work in Mollywood.
'When actor Thilakan was banned from films five years ago, a group of us led by Vinayan had come out in support of him. As a result, the key members of FEFKA used to disrupt our work, asking actors to not give us dates et al.
Vinayan gave a complaint to the commission in Delhi, seeking justice. As it is the duty of the commission to ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India, the case was taken up,' says Baiju, explaining that the trial has been going on for the past four years. B Unnikrishnan and Sibi Malayil have been asked by the commission to appear for a hearing on April 21, which, according to Baiju, is the reason for the sudden reshuffling of the heads of FEFKA. 'Why else would they quit positions which they have been monopolising for the past eight years? I strongly believe that they fear the commission will find them incapable of continuing in the positions!' he says. Meanwhile, slamming the allegations, B Unnikrishnan says that his decision to quit was purely a personal one as he wants to focus on his own work than official duties. 'It has nothing to do with the hearing by Competition Commission. The case is not against Sibi Malayil or me but against FEFKA. Why should I be scared of the commission and resign?' he asks.
Unnikrishnan stresses that they have been thinking of reshuffling the FEFKA authorities for long. 'The decision to leave the position of General Secretary was not a sudden one. I have a lot of other commitments as well. I haven't been able to do a movie for two years, after Mr Fraud. I want to concentrate on my work, and have Telugu and Tamil projects too. Sibi Malayil resigned along with me because we both joined at the same time.'
He also adds that Vinayan and team have been creating controversies for years and that has never bothered the duo. 'The allegations are all baseless,' he exclaims. 'Regarding the case that is going on at the Competition Commission, we have only been asked to be present at a hearing. The final verdict might take even eight years. Even after the resignation, I have been assigned to represent FEFKA at the hearing.' Vinayan had filed the case after Thilakan was excluded from director Joshiy's Christian Brothers on a directive from FEFKA, apparently irked by the actor doing a role in a film helmed by Vinayan, FEFKA's bete noire. Vinayan confirms that he did file the complaint at the Commission and that he is eagerly waiting for the verdict.
'I hope the Competition Commission's verdict would help to remove the ban that has been imposed on me for the past eight years. I am also curious to know what made the president and general secretary of FEFKA leave their chairs they have occupied for eight years,' he says. Sibi Malayil was unavailable for comments at the time of going to press.