Noel Tata opposes N Chandrasekaran's reappointment, calls vote illegal: Report

The Tata Sons board has voted in favour of N Chandrasekaran continuing as chairman, but the decision has triggered a dispute within the group. Noel Tata has opposed the move and called the vote “illegal”, reported Moneycontrol.

The Tata Sons board voted 4-1 on September 17 in favour of Chandrasekaran continuing as chairman of the group holding company, told, people familiar with the proceedings, the report mentioned.

The vote has reopened a succession issue that appeared to have been settled only weeks ago.

Noel Tata said that he had voted against Chandrasekaran’s appointment and challenged the validity of the decision.

“I voted against Chandra’s appointment as chairman. My veto was wrongfully overridden on the basis of a legal opinion. The decision is illegal. I recorded my dissent,” Tata said in an interview with Moneycontrol.

According to people cited in the report, the Tata Trusts, headed by Noel Tata, are likely to remove Chandrasekaran as a director at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

“Once he is ousted as a director, he cannot continue as chairman,” said a person familiar with the matter, mentioned the report.

Another person said one of the Tata Trusts had already voted to begin the succession process and accepted Chandrasekaran’s earlier decision not to seek a third term.

At the centre of the dispute is an article in the Tata Sons Articles of Association. It states that a majority of directors appointed by the Tata Trusts to the Tata Sons board must approve any consequential decision.

The executive management of Tata Sons appears to have proceeded on the basis of a legal opinion that said the chairman of a board meeting has a casting vote in the event of a deadlock.

The Tata Sons board comprises Chandrasekaran, Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, Saurabh Agrawal, Harish Manwani and Anita Marangoly George.

Thursday’s vote marks a significant change from August, when Chandrasekaran decided not to seek another term after his current tenure ends in February, next year.

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), one of the two principal Tata Trusts, later said it respected Chandrasekaran’s decision and began the process of setting up a selection committee to recommend the next Tata Sons chairman.- EndsPublished By: Jasmine anandPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 16:15 IST