Tata Turmoil: Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Criminal Destruction' Amid Internal War
Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of destroying Tata Group as Noel Tata challenges N Chandrasekaran's reappointment at Tata Sons.
In a dramatic escalation of political and corporate tension, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, claiming that the Tata Group is being "criminally destroyed." The allegations come at a time when the nation's most iconic business house is grappling with a fierce internal power struggle over the leadership of Tata Sons.
Political Firestorm: Gandhi Targets Modi and Shah
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Rahul Gandhi accused the central government of treating Indian businesses as a "plaything." He specifically targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, questioning why the country's business elite have remained silent in the face of these alleged actions.
Gandhi vowed that the Congress party would not stand by and would seek justice for what he described as the "criminal destruction" of the Tata entity, framing the corporate instability as a result of government interference.
The Battle for Tata Sons: Noel Tata vs. Chandrasekaran
The political outcry coincides with a deepening rift within the Tata empire. The conflict centers on the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as the Executive Chairman of Tata Sons. While the board passed a resolution on September 17, 2026, to extend his term for five years starting February 21, 2027, the decision has been met with fierce resistance from the Tata Trusts.
Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts—which holds a commanding 66% stake in Tata Sons—has formally challenged the validity of this reappointment. In a letter dated October 26, 2026, addressed to Company Secretary Suprakash Mukhopadhyay, Noel Tata alleged several critical procedural failures:
- Agenda Omission: He argued that the reappointment was not listed on the official meeting agenda.
- Lack of Committee: He claimed that no selection committee was formed, which is a mandatory requirement under Article 118 of the Articles of Association.
- Voting Irregularities: Noel Tata asserted that the resolution failed to gain the necessary affirmative votes from directors appointed under Article 104B. He specifically contested the use of a casting vote by Harish Manwani, Chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, to break a tie, arguing this does not count as an affirmative vote from Trusts' nominee directors.
Contradictory Claims and Philanthropic Fears
Adding to the complexity, Noel Tata revealed that the Tata Trusts had previously been informed in a communication dated August 12, 2026, that Chandrasekaran had decided not to seek reappointment. Having voted against the move, Noel Tata has declared the resolution "void" due to non-compliance.
Beyond the leadership tussle, Noel Tata has also voiced strong opposition to the potential stock market listing of Tata Sons. He warned that taking the holding company public could jeopardize and undermine the philanthropic mission that has defined the Tata Trusts for generations.
Lack of Transparency
The dispute has now entered a phase of transparency concerns, with Noel Tata claiming that the company has failed to provide the requested meeting minutes and recordings. As of now, neither the Indian government nor the Tata Group has issued an official response to the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi or the governance challenges raised by Noel Tata.