Not aware of political affiliations of directors: Tata Comm

Tata Communications today said it is not aware about the political affiliations of the company's directors, amid reports that some of them were members of M Karunanidhi-led DMK party.

This statement comes against the backdrop of media reports that two of Tata Communications' independent directors -- P V Kalyanasundaram and V R S Sampath -- who are reported to be senior members of political party DMK quit, following the arrest of party leader Kanimozhi in the 2G spectrum scam.

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"The company is not aware of the political affiliations of its directors, if any. In this particular case, neither the Government of India nor the concerned independent directors have made any disclosure regarding their political affiliations.

"The appointment of Kalyanasundaram and Sampath to the Tata Communications board followed their nominations by the Government of India and their election at the AGMs," the firm said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

According to the company, Kalyanasundaram and Sampath were nominated as independent directors by the Government in September 2005.

Tata Communications said that on April 7, 2011, it received letters from the DoT informing that the Government had withdrawn nominations of Kalyanasundaram and Sampath.

"... Kalyanasundaram tendered his resignation on May 20, 2011... The resignation of Sampath has not been received by the company/board till now," the filing noted.

The 2G spectrum scam has already seen the arrest of two top DMK leaders -- former telecom minister A Raja and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi.