No soundbytes from Mukesh

On December 27, the Maker Chamber IV was under the media glare. Today, the spotlight was on the Air-India building at Nariman Point, the commercial hub of Mumbai, which houses the registered office of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation (IPCL).

On December 27, the Reliance Industries board met to consider a share buyback proposal. Today, IPCL board met to consider its third quarter results.

The common factor in both the board meetings is Anil Ambani, the vice-chairman and managing director of RIL and vice-chairman of IPCL.

On December 27, Anil Ambani met the media ahead of the RIL board meeting. This time, however, he skipped the IPCL board meeting. No wonder, print and television journalists did not get any "byte".

Wiser with the Maker IV experience, the fourth estate this time formed several groups to man the main and side entrances and exit of the Air India building.

Around 12 noon, Mukesh Ambani, IPCL chairman, appeared in a light blue grey Merc. From the basement of the Air India building he was whisked away for IPCL board meeting on the 19th floor.

What was a small crowd initially turned into a huge mob by 2 pm as several office goers and bystanders joined the scribes to have a glimpse of the much publicised corporate drama between the Ambani brothers.

First, the security personnel of Air India and special security of IPCL tried to shoe away the bystanders. However, as the crowd swelled, police were called in.

Representatives of media were allowed to stand at the exit of the building while the bystanders were sternly asked to disperse.

A smart scribe jumped over the fence and started waiting near the main entrance of the building posing as a security personnel. As Mukesh Ambani stepped out, he shook hands and asked him about the latest developments.

It was quite a disappointment as unlike his younger brother, a media shy Mukesh had nothing to say. "Everything will be given in the press release," was his one line answer. Anand Jain and Nikhil Meswani got into Mukesh Ambani's Merc to make a fast exit.