Infosys calls tussle with NRN as unfortunate, doesn't withdraw last statement

India’s second largest IT company has called the recent spat with its co-founder NR Narayana Murthy as unfortunate but has not withdrawn the strongly worded letter against the latter, that it had issued post the resignation of its former CEO and MD NR Narayana Murthy.

“The board believes it to be unfortunate that various differences of opinion have arisen between Mr Murthy and the Board in the recent past. The Board wishes to express that it was not its intention to cause Mr Murthy or any other affected person any personal distress or anguish while stating its point of view,” the company said, in a complete u-turn from its position last week.

“In recent days, there has been considerable discussion of the relationship between the Board of Directors of Infosys and N R Narayana Murthy who established the culture and ethos of Infosys, especially its culture of adhering to high corporate governance standards,” the company added.

The company had come out all guns blazing against Murthy last week after Sikka had resigned. It has blamed Murthy for hindering in the performance of the company. “Murthy’s letter contains factual inaccuracies, already-disproved rumours, and statements extracted out of context from his conversations with Board members,” the company had said.

However, the company has not withdrawn the statement. When questioned, company’s chairman Nandan Nilekani, evaded the question by saying that Murthy has been the “visionary icon” in corporate governance.