NEW DELHI: Didn't we tell you that country's "sab se tez" news channel is poaching and with a vengeance too?

Apart from at least three persons from Doordarshan News re-joining Aaj Tak this month, a big catch is Punya Prasoon Bajpayee, who does a homecoming after spending less than a year in NDTV India, the Hindi news channel from the NDTV stable.

Punya Prasoon Bajpayee: Return of the prodigal
According to information available with indiantelevision.com, Bajpayee, considered one of the bright faces of Hindi language television, has already rejoined Aaj Tak, of course at a better pay package.

But, more importantly, this is something that bucks the trend that was synonymous with NDTV --- very few leave the company as not only the HR policies were considered good, but the loyalty factor too was high. Working with the likes of Prannoy Roy can be a high in itself.

The market buzz is that apart from Bajpayee, there are several others from NDTV and Star News who have sent feelers to the Aaj Tak management on possibilities of returning. As an Aaj Tak source confirms, "The company does get feelers from many people and for most old timers the doors are still open."

Bajpayee, along with the likes of Naghma and Sikta Deb, had followed Dibang to NDTV India when Roy broke with Star News and turned NDTV into a broadcaster with two channels last year.

However, sources in Aaj Tak also point out that after Bajpayee's homecoming, a short break may follow --- till the general elections are over--- before the gates are thrown open again.