Tata Trusts faces internal rift as Noel Tata-led group blocks Mehli Mistry’s reappointment

A sharp division has emerged within the Tata Trusts after chairman Noel Tata and two trustees close to him opposed the reappointment of businessman Mehli Mistry, a longtime confidant of the late Ratan Tata, deepening tensions in the powerful philanthropic body that controls Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group.

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According to people familiar with the development, Noel Tata, along with TVS Motor Co chairman emeritus Venu Srinivasan and former defence secretary Vijay Singh, voted against Mistry's reappointment following the end of his three-year term on Tuesday. The other three trustees former Citibank India CEO Pramit Jhaveri, Mumbai lawyer Darius Khambata, and Pune-based philanthropist Jehangir HC Jehangir supported Mistry's continuation.

The split, described as unprecedented by those close to the matter, marks a significant departure from the traditionally consensus-driven approach of the Trusts. "This is the first time such a clear division has surfaced within the Tata Trusts," one person said.

Noel Tata and Mehli Mistry are widely seen as representing two distinct power centres within the organisation. Tata, who succeeded Ratan Tata as chairman of Tata Trusts last year, is backed by Srinivasan and Singh, while Mistry is supported by Jhaveri, Khambata and Jehangir.