The Russian government, along with RusAl and Interros, the two main shareholders at Norilsk Nickel, are against the appearance of a new shareholder.

Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest nickel producer, is currently witnessing a bitter shareholder dispute.

The heads of RusAl and Interros, Vladimir Potanin and Oleg Deripaska, have been fighting for control over the plant since Norilsk Nickel's annual shareholders meeting in June. The oligarchs are in dispute over the number of board seats allocated after the board election, as well as management appointments, while both hold a 25 percent stake in Norilsk Nickel.

"Why [add another shareholder]? To have more fun?" Interros head Potanin, said.

RusAl's CEO, Deripaska, also said he was against the emergence of an additional principal shareholder.

"We are not discussing the issue about the state's participation [in Norilsk Nickel] yet," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said, adding the government would "think it over".

On Monday Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the government would step intervene in the conflict if the existing shareholders fail to resolve the company's management dispute.

"I do not care which of the shareholders owns a controlling stake, or in what ratio. What matters is that they solve the company's problems," Putin said.

NORILSK, August 31 (RIA Novosti)