Murasoli Maran and Prabir Sengupta have worked together on two controversial issues. In 1997, Maran was the industry minister in the United Front government at the Centre. Sengupta was secretary in the department of heavy industries.
A problem arose over who should control the management of Maruti Udyog Limited, a joint venture of the Indian government and Suzuki Motor Company of Japan. Maran felt that Suzuki should not dispute the Indian government