BJP alarmed over reports of Maran threat to Ratan Tata

Chennai, Apr 26: Terming as 'alarming' reports in a section of the media that Union Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran had threatened Tata Group Chariman Ratan Tata over the DTH project, the Bharatiya Janata Party today demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shift him immediately from the portfolio.

'This is an alarming and serious matter. This could be one of the scandals of the UPA Government,' BJP national secretary and in charge of party affairs in Tamil Nadu, Bandaru Dattatreya told the press.

Misuse of authority to further the interest of a family business was a serious matter, he said here, adding that Mr Maran had flouted even the minimum ethics to be followed by a Union Minister.

'The Prime Minister should enquire the matter and shift Mr Maran immediately from the Communication portfolio,' he said.

Stating that Mr Maran's family was running several satellite TV channels, he said prima facie, there was a strong case against him as per newspaper reports. Dr Singh should take serious note of it.

According to reports in a section of the media, Mr Dayanidhi Maran allegedly threatened Mr Tata that he would 'finish off Tata's telecom project' if 33 per cent share in Tata-Star DTH (Direct To Home) project was not given to Sun TV,owned by his brother Kalanidhi Maran.

UNI