Nandan Nilekani postpones 2-month US trip, may become non-executive chairman

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani may come back in the role of non-executive chairman of Infosys board, multiple sources familiar with the development told ET NOW. Nilekani is "seriously considering" a formal role and has postponed a 2-month visit to the US to stay back in Bengaluru and discuss the contours.

"He is yet to make up his mind. But, there is a chance that this will happen. He is seriously considering it. But he will come back as non-executive chairman, not in an operations or business role," one person familiar with the development told ET NOW.

Another person said Nilekani's return will coincide with a major recast of the Infosys board, with mounting pressure on at least four members to step down. This includes chairman R Seshasayee , co-chairman Ravi Venkatesan, audit committee chair Roopa Kudva and nominations committee chair Jeff Lehman.

ET NOW was the first to report on Tuesday that Nilekani is playing role of mediator in the ongoing acrimony between the promoter group led by NR Narayana Murthy and the board. The standoff over a range of governance issues culminated in CEO Vishal Sikka's resignation and a scathing letter from the Board that placed the blame squarely on Murthy.

But with a bunch of domestic institutional investors writing to the Board to consider Nilekani for a role, pressure is mounting on him to make a comeback. Importantly, Nilekani's personal wealth is also tied to the Infosys stock and acceptable to all shareholders. He is also someone who Narayana Murthy will back completely.

Sources said Nilekani will play an interim role to stabilise the company and oversee the appointment of the next CEO.

Infosys row: Read all the latest updates here