Irma mess: 6 members left out of board meet

I must manage this institution, even if it requires expulsion of members: Kurien.

The battle for control of the Institute of Rural Management - Anand (Irma) heated up today when six members of its board were refused permission to attend a meeting held on the eve of the 24th convocation of the institute.

A de facto show of strength -- between chairman Verghese Kurien's faction and the one opposed to him -- ensued, resulting in two "board meetings", where charges flew thick and fast.

The first meeting, led by Kurien, was held at the Irma campus, while the second took place at the National Dairy Development Board's headquarters. The NDDB meet was attended by those who were barred from the Irma meet.

Kurien's one-time protege and the chairperson of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Amrita Patel, who was allowed to attend the Irma meet, walked out saying what was happening at the institute was "completely illegal".

A defiant Kurien reiterated after the board meeting and the convocation that vested interests were out to take control of the institute.

Asked why he had disallowed six members from attending the board meet, he said, "I must manage this institution and I will do so, even if it requires expulsion of members." Asked how many attended the Irma board meeting, Kurien replied cryptically, "Majority."

NDDB chief Amrita Patel told newspersons that she was part of the group that believed it was important to uphold the law.

"We consider it completely illegal for the chairman to terminate the services of Prathap Reddy as the director of the institute and I raised the issue in the board meet," said Patel.

Kurien made a mention of the ongoing controversy in his speech at the convocation. He said, "The past few weeks have seen the unfolding of some unfortunate events perpetrated in order to sully the clean image of Irma. Such events are the result of some vested interests trying to take control of the institute through illegal and unfair means. I recall having once said I had built the walls of Irma so tall and strong lest any unscrupulous elements take control of her. I have no hesitation to say once again that the walls of Irma still remain as tall and strong and nobody with any self-interest can dare touchher."