United Spirits chief Mallya not sure of Diageo deal

Mallya has been scrambling to raise funds for Kingfisher Airlines, and has been in talks to sell a stake in United Spirits

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya does not know whether a deal for UK drinks giant Diageo Plc to take a stake in his United Spirits Ltd will be struck or not, he said on Saturday.

Mallya has been scrambling to raise funds for his ailing Kingfisher Airlines Ltd , and has been in talks with the maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka to sell a stake in United Spirits.

"Whenever we need to say something we will, we keep discussing but we don't know whether a deal will happen or not," Mallya told Reuters on the sidelines of the Indian Grand Prix, which he flew in from London to attend.