# Lessons from the past

> EC power struggles and Tata Trusts reveal institutional friction.
- Title: Lessons from the past · Financialexpress | Shortify
- Summary: EC power struggles and Tata Trusts reveal institutional friction. EC members historically clashed over decisions, and Tata Sons faced regulatory and internal…
- Keywords: tata sons, tata trusts, chief election commissioner, rbi, number plates, india, political conflict, business, money, news, Lessons, past
- Source: Financialexpress — https://financialexpress.com/opinion/inside-track-by-coomi-kapoor-lessons-from-the-past/4353135
- Author: Coomi Kapoor
- Published: 2026-10-04T00:05:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ec, tata sons, tata trusts, chief election commissioner, rbi, number plates, india, political conflict, business, money, news
## EC power struggles
The Chief Election Commissioner has faced institutional friction with two EC members over election process implementation.

> When the three-member commission concept was introduced in 1993 under PM PV Narasimha Rao, the two new ECs, MS Gill and GVG Krishnamurthy, protested that CEC TN Seshan continued to conduct the commission as a one-man show
## EC members' historical conflict
EC members challenged CEC TN Seshan's authority in 1993, leading to Supreme Court intervention.

> Seshan ignored their objections and approached the Supreme Court to affirm his supremacy. But the court held that each member of the constitutional body had equal rights
## Tata Trusts conflict
Tata Sons Board faced regulatory rejection and leadership changes in September 2026.

> The RBI rejected Tata Sons' application to surrender its Core Investment Company status on September 11, 2026
## Tata Sons board decisions
Tata Sons Board reversed position on public listing after RBI rejection.

> The RBI immediately rejected Tata Sons' application for exemption from its revised 2022 regulations for public listing
## Tata Trusts leadership
Tata Trusts chairperson Noel Tata faced board reappointment despite objections.

> Chandrasekaran was reappointed as chairperson on September 17, 2026, despite objections from Sir Dorabji and Sir Ratanji Tata trusts
## Number plate trends
Political figures apply for lucky number plates with specific patterns.

> Amitabh Bachchan is believed to favour numbers that end in two/ add up to two
## Tata Trusts inquiry
Charities commissioner blocked Sir Ratanji Trust board meetings.

> The Maharashtra charities commissioner, mysteriously, prohibited the Sir Ratanji Trust from holding a board meeting
## Tata Trusts legacy
Tata Trusts' 150-year mandate to do good for India faces modern challenges.

> For over 150 years, founder Jamsetji Tata’s simple mandate to his descendants was to do good for India
## Key takeaway

EC members historically clashed over decisions, and Tata Sons faced regulatory and internal conflicts in September 2026.