It is learnt that two of Mallya's key lieutenants-Vijay Rekhi, president (spirits) at UB, and Kalyan Ganguli, president (breweries)-are front-runners for the post. Sources say that Mallya's drive to poach senior executives from Shaw Wallace has not gone down well with the UB group top brass, and an apparent discontent has surfaced in certain sections. A SWC spokesperson declined to comment on the issue but said: "Such a possibility cannot be entirely ruled out." Neither Rekhi nor Ganguli were available for comment.

A UB group spokesperson said: "It is totally preposterous,no senior UB official will leave Vijay Mallya. By bringing in Ravi Jain in a separate subsidiary, Mallya has ensured that there is no rift among senior UB group officials over Jain's homecoming."

Evidence of the move has become apparent with Chhabria not elevating his long-time right-hand PL Narsimhan, executive director (finance), for the chief executive's job.

Manu Chhabria has received a shot in the arm in recent weeks with estranged brother Kishore now willing to sort out differences, and together take on their common enemy Vijay Mallya. Manu Chhabria had tried to block Jain's decision but the Mumbai High Court rejected the application for an injunction restraining Jain from joining UB group or any of its associate companies.