New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran Wednesday denied allegations of receiving kickbacks for issuing a 2G licence to private a operator when he was telecom minister 2004-07.

 
 "It is totally untrue and malicious," Maran said about the allegations that he was "partial to a particular company" in granting a licence.
 
 Maran's denial comes in the wake of a report in Tehelka magazine which claimed that Maran in 2006 deliberately delayed clearing the licence to certain companies.
 
 The article triggered demands by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AIADMK for his resignation from the cabinet.
 
 "As the news items are far from truth, I have already sent defamation notices to the newspapers and television channels concerned," Maran said.
 
 Maran held the telecom portfolio from May 2004 to May 2007 in United Progressive Alliance-I.