Never arm-twisted former Aircel owner: Maran

Rejecting allegations that he had 'forced and arm-twisted' former Aircel chief C Sivasankaran to sell his business as Telecom Minister, Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran on Monday asserted that he would prove his "innocence" before the appropriate authorities.

"Most of you have been trying to make a story today saying that I forced, arm-twisted and strangulated a person to sell his business to other person. Let me tell you Sivasankaran is not a millionaire, but a multi-billionaire. No one can force anyone to sell the business," Maran said.

He said the company was "parading itself" much before he became the Telecom minister in 2004 during the UPA-1 regime.

Quoting media reports published in 2004, Maran said Aircel was selling itself even before his entry into the Telecom Ministry. "If anyone feels that he was forced to sell his business, he can always go to the court," Maran said.

"I will address appropriate authorities and prove my innocence," he said.