Infosys shareholders want Murthy back, but he declines

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Infosys shareholders today made a strong pitch for the return of co-founder Narayana Murthy to the company once again, which the IT czar declined by calling it words of "affection".

Successive shareholders who spoke at the 34th Annual General Meeting of Infosys suggested that he should be brought back to the company as his name is synonymous with Infosys. "...take back Murthy as independent Director in the interest of the company," Gopalkrishna Rao, a shareholder said.

This was Infosys' first AGM without any of its founders on the board or associated with the functioning of the company in any way. Murthy attended today's AGM as a shareholder and was accompanied by his wife Sudha Murthy and son Rohan Murthy.

Seven co-founders, led by Murthy, set up the Bangalore- based firm in 1981. He had voluntarily step down as Executive Chairman June 14, 2014, and as Non-executive Chairman on October 10, 2014. Reacting to shareholders comments that he should be brought back to the company, Murthy said, "They are saying these things because they have some affection." "But the reality is that today we have a very good set of people running the company, they should run the company, and we should all support them," he told reporters on the sidelines of the AGM.

"We should cheer them from outside, there is no need for anybody from outside to get back to Infosys," he added. Responding to suggestion that Murthy should be brought back, Infosys Non-Executive Chairman R Seshasayee said Murthy is like Bhishma Pitamah (the epic character of Mahabharata) for Infosys. "Mr Murthy whether he is sitting on this side of the dais or on that side of the dais, he is our mentor...he is like Bhishma Pitamah and we will certainly go to him for any advice to conduct the business in the manner that he has performed," he said.

"....Mr Narayana Murthy regardless of where he is- we would certainly be benefited from his advice and his guidance, we will continue to seek his advice...." he added.