After the demise of YC Deveshwar, the longest-serving chairman of ITC, Sanjiv Puri, managing director of the company is likely to take over the role of the executive chairman, reported TheTimes of India.

Puri, the report said, was chosen by Deveshwar for the role before he had decided to split the post of executive chairman in 2016. Puri was appointed as the CEO and was considered as Deveshwar's successor.

The report said that ITC board meeting due on May 13 to review its fourth-quarter results may not be able to finalise Deveshwar's successor.

The possibility of Puri assuming the role of executive chairman is highly likely as it also complies with the legal norms, the daily said quoting sources.