Pandian touted as new CMD of ONGC
Its a long shot, but if you believe the grapevine, DJ Pandian, managing director of GSPC, could be the dark horse in the race to become the new chairman of ONGC.
Pandians supporters in Ahmedabad and Delhi tell us his name has been circulating in the corridors of power for over six months - not without reason. Pandian has presided over one of the biggest gas discoveries in India and the rapid expansion of the only gas grid in India not owned by GAIL.
Hes rarely out of the news and knows how to handle his political masters. If you believe some, former chairman Subir Raha even felt threatened by Pandian in his last three months in office.
But Pandians detractors say hes only Joint Secretary rank and that only Additional Secretary rank officers can take on the CMD role. Also, he apparently does not get on with oil secretary MS Srinivasan.
But he is close to finance minister P Chidambaram.