'Should non-performing politicos be lynched?'

"If we go by his argument then he should be lynched in his constituency if he does not perform," Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce (Northern Region) Chairman Diljeet Titus said.

Fernandez had said on Tuesday that "simmering discontent among the workers" led to the lynching incident of L K Chaudhary, CEO of an Italy-based auto-component manufacturer Cerlikon-Graziano in Greater Noida.

"This should serve as a warning for the managements. It is my appeal to the managements that the workers should be dealt with compassion. The workers should not be pushed so hard that they resort to whatever that had happened in Noida," the minister had told reporters at a press conference.

"We have legal processes to settle any dispute. If any person is fired without keeping rules in mind, he can approach the court and opt for other mechanisms, but in any case killing an innocent person is not the option," he said.

There are about 150 Italian joint venture companies in the northern region. "The episode will certainly have an adverse impact on these companies whereas others will also think about their future," Titus who also heads Titus and Company, a law firm, said.

However, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said on Wednesday condemned the incident and called it "very unfortunate."

Arguing that the disgruntled Unions have always expressed anger in their own way, Titus said: "In the last five years, I cannot remember any such case where the CEO of a company has been murdered by the mob."

He lamented that multinational companies becomes soft targets for such elements because they work honestly and do not pay heed to unlawful demands of local 'netas' and 'gunda' elements.

"Indian businessmen manoeuvre their way by offering 'bakshish' and can get away in such situation with the help of anti-social elements but most MNCs don't follow such tricks and are victimised," he said.

"There is a sense of deep shock among Italian business men, but we cannot comment what will be the long-term impact. We are still assessing the situation," commercial counsellor at Italian Embassy Nicolo Tassoni said.