Is marriage with MTN jinxed!

NEW DELHI: Marriage with South African telecom giant MTN appears to be a jinxed affair for an Indian corporate entity as the engagements have been called off for the third time.

While Bharti Airtel for the first time called off the negotiations in May last year accusing MTN of changing the deal structure at the last movement contrary to their commitment, another suitor Anil Ambani-led RCom was forced to beat a retreat two months later under pressures from elder brother Mukesh-controlled RIL.

As the talks between RCom and MTN were progressing for possibly a reverse merger, RIL threatened legal action in case the South African entity went ahead with the deal citing that it had the first right of refusal for controlling stake in Anil Ambani group firm.

Once again Sunil Mittal-led Bharti picked up the threads from where it left and started negotiations in May before being forced to announce today an end to the talks after failing to get the approval of the South African government for the merged 23-billion-dollar entity.