Ilkar IC turned down Tata Group’s offer to become CEO and MD of Air India: Sources
Highlight
- Ilkar IC rejects Tata group’s offer to become CEO and MD of Air India
- On February 14, Tata Sons launched the Ayci. announced the appointment of
- Swadeshi Jagran Manch associated with RSS said – Government should not approve the appointment of Ayci
Former Turkish Airlines chairman Ilkar IC on Tuesday said he has turned down the Tata group’s offer to become the chief executive officer and managing director of Air India as “certain sections of the Indian media” had “coloured” his appointment in an undesirable manner. Tried to give I is considered close to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of Pakistan.
RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch had told PTI last Friday that the government should not approve the appointment of Air India’s chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) “keeping national security in mind”.
Tata Sons on February 14 had announced the appointment of Icy as the CEO and MD of the recently privatized Air India.
“Since the announcement, I have been carefully following reports of attempts to paint my appointment in certain sections of the Indian media with undesirable colours,” the IC said in a statement.
“As a business leader who has always prioritized professional credit and more importantly, the happiness and well being of my family is above all, I have come to the conclusion that accepting the position is not a feasible or honorable decision. The shadow of such a narrative,” he said.
The IC said it was grateful to the Tata Group and its Chairman N Chandrasekaran for the honor and the opportunity to lead Air India.
“However, in a recent meeting with Mr. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Tata Group, I regretfully informed him and I would also like to inform the public, that I will decline the position,” he said.
The IC said that they have taken this decision with a heavy heart and they wish Air India and the Tata group every success.
“I will continue my career pursuing alternative opportunities aimed at creating value and building world class businesses,” he said.
Tata Sons did not respond to PTI’s request for a statement on the IC’s decision. Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group had on October 8 last year made an offer of Rs 18,000 crore to acquire debt-ridden state-run Air India.
Swadeshi Jagran Manch co-convenor Ashwini Mahajan told PTI last Friday, “We feel that the government should not allow this (appointment of IC) keeping in mind the national security.”
“I think the government is already sensitive to this issue and has taken this matter very seriously. I don’t think the government will approve it,” he said.
Asked why his organization was opposing the newly appointed CEO and MD, Mahajan reiterated that it was a matter of national security. “Ultimately, decisions are made about a person based on their relationships,” he said.
Read more: Who is Ilkar Aisi? All you need to know about the new CEO and MD of Air India