Maran calls report on Tatas a 'blatant lie'

Chennai, Apr 27: Union Communication and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran today dismissed as a ''blatant lie'' that he tried to ''arm-twist'' the Tatas to part with their DTH business in favour of Sun TV network, owned by his brother Kalanidhi Maran.

Reacting to media reports in this regard and the demand by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that the Prime Minsiter drop him from the Cabinet, Mr Maran said the episode was part of the 'diversionary tactics' employed by the 'Jayalalithaa government.

Terming as a blatant lie the allegation that he had threatened the Tatas on DTH, Mr Maran, in a statement here, said when the companies concerned had not lodged any complaint, it was clear that the media reports were totally motiviated.

The leading English and Tamil dailies, which carried the reports, had been served with legal notice on behalf of him, he said, adding that a study of the reports would clearly show that they were published under pressure from somebody.

He wondered how that Ms Jayalalithaa, who was indicted by the Supreme court in the TANSI land deal case, had sought his sacking from the Cabinet over all baseless report.

UNI

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