Prakash Chauhan's opposition to sell the franchise rights could put the entire deal between Ramesh Chauhan and Coca-Cola in jeopardy, say sources.

Prakash Chauhan controls the two bottling units in Mumbai, while Ramesh Chauhan controls the two Delhi plants.

"We are not aware of any deal being negotiated with Coca-Cola India. We are not part of any negotiation," said D Jacob, director in the Prakash Chauhan-controlled Parle Group located in Mumbai.

Prakash Chauhan could not be contacted for comments as he is abroad.

Sources say Prakash is annoyed with his brother for launching the negotiations with Coca-Cola India without taking him into confidence. He is also unhappy over the details of the deal that, he feels, are being leaked to the press.

Sources point out that Prakash Chauhan does not want to sell the franchise rights to bottle Coca-Cola's products in Mumbai. He is also reluctant to sell the plant and machinery in the two bottling units in Mumbai to the soft-drink multinational.

"Prakash wants to retain the bottling units and the franchise rights. He is in three businesses and wants to retain all three of them," say sources.

Besides bottling Coke products, the brothers own the `Bisleri' brand of soda and mineral water plus the `Frooti' juice brand.

The two brothers own one bottling plant apiece, out of the four bottling units owned by Parle. In the remaining two units, they hold an equal stake. Owing to this provision, they need each other's permission before selling the bottling units.

As part of an informal understanding between the two brothers, Ramesh Chauhan oversees the Delhi operations, while Prakash is responsible for the Mumbai operations.

Ramesh Chauhan had claimed that he was close to clinching a deal with Coca-Cola India to sell off the franchise rights to bottle and market the multinational's products in Delhi and Mumbai.

While Ramesh had reportedly demanded Rs 300 crore as price for the sell-off, Coca-Cola India is angling for a lower price. They were expected to get a more or less equal share from the deal.

The Chauhans will sell their plants and machinery. They will, however, retain control of the land in Delhi and Mumbai on which the factories are located.

The deal is part of Coke's strategy of buying out local bottling plants and operating them through its own subsidiaries.

The Chauhans sold off their popular beverage brands -- `Limca', `Thums Up' `Mazaa' and `Citra' -- to Coca-Cola in 1993 for reportedly $40 million.