I`m not involved with any underworld gang: IMPPA president

Mumbai: Ahead of the Indian Motion Picture Producers` Association (IMPPA) elections, its president T.P. Aggarwal has been accused of having links with underworld don Ravi Pujari, but he denies involvement with any gangster and says allegations of Sushma Shiromanee, the vice president of the film body, are baseless.

"The caller who threatened her (Shiromanee) said he is associated with Ravi Pujari and my name got tangled with Pujari. Tomorrow, there might be many more allegations and my respect in the society will be at stake. I am not involved with any underworld gang. I am not a gangster, so why this thing has come to me," Aggarwal asked while addressing a press conference here Saturday. During the press meet, Aggarwal got emotional and told the media that he would be committing suicide, but later he admitted it was a momentary lapse of reason and he would not be doing any such thing. Shiromanee had earlier alleged that gangster Pujari had offered her Rs.5 million to Rs.40 million to not contest in the IMPPA election. Commenting on her allegation, Aggarwal, who is an educationist as well, said that her allegation has loopholes as the underworld dons usually don`t offer money but issue death threats. "Police is taking action, but I will also file a defamation case against Sushma because she is the one who has put me in this place. If I had to pay money to remain president of IMPAA, I will rather try to buy votes. Members vote for me because they know that I work hard for the betterment of the film industry," said Aggarwal, who produced Ananth Mahadevan`s "Red Alert". Asked if he is taking police protection, he said: "I have already given a statement to the police. If I feel that I am not safe, then I will seek police protection. If nothing happens, at least I will have my personal security. I haven`t received any threat call directly, but I think something might happen anytime." IMPPA has been in the forefront of serving the cause of film and television producers for years. IANS