'Murthy wanted me to stay on'

Mohandas Pai was not a founder member of Infosys Technologies, but he became one of the most popular faces of the country’s second-largest information technology services provider. Pai’s sudden decision to resign from the company has taken many by surprise, but insiders say the writing was on the wall.

Many within the company said the board as well as S Gopalakrishnan (Kris), CEO and MD, did try and stop him. “The management was aware of this decision. The board had told both Kris and S D Shibulal (chief operating officer) that it is their responsibility to see that he does not leave the company, as he has been the face of the company. But that does not seem to have worked,” said a senior executive, on condition of anonymity.

Pai joined Infosys in 1994 and became a member of the board in May 2000. He was hired by Nandan Nilekani at the behest of Narayana Murthy. Pai’s rise in the company was evident as the CFO from 1994 to 2006. In 2006, he voluntarily demitted the office of CFO to lead efforts in the areas of human resources and education and research. Many say this shift made him aware of the nitty-gritty of operations.

Many say Pai has been an ambitious person and would have wanted to be the CEO, which he denies. “I started thinking about this one year ago. I spoke to Narayana Murthy nine months ago, and requested him that I want to step down. He persuaded me very hard to stay on, but I said I would be completing five years in the role I am doing and I think it is best to step down. He asked me whether I have the aspiration of being the CEO; I said no. So there is no discord, we work together as a single team,” said Pai.

But many think otherwise. “Even though he might not agree, but somewhere he was expecting to be the CEO of the company. However, since that does not seem to be happening, he certainly does not see any reason to continue in the company. It is clear that the committee would like to follow the rules for appointing the CEO the way Infosys has been doing so far. That would mean Shibulal will be the next CEO,” said another source.

Pai said perhaps Infosys had been the only company where team effort had been key. “We have instances in this company where leaders have stepped down to allow others to come up and do better. Murthy stepped down, and Nandan became the CEO. Kris was asked to become the CEO, but he stepped aside in favour of Nandan. I stepped aside so that Bala (V Balakrishnan) could become the CFO.”

According to Pai, he wants the younger generation to come to the fore and take leadership position. “This is a different phase of growth — Infosys 3.0. It requires a new set of leaders; people who will take Infosys to greater heights. We have at least 100 people in the senior management, who could be CEO of small, medium and large companies. I think we should give them an opportunity to stand in the sun and to lead from the front.”

Pai has chosen a wider canvas for his future venture. “I will spend a substantial part of my time in public service, working with the government for education, policy and helping to set up universities for people, being in the board of various universities. I will retain my link with the corporate world; I will join boards of various companies. I have no desire to join Nandan... because his aspiration is different and my aspiration is different.”