Kerkorian Turns Up the Heat on Chrysler Again : Autos: He says he is seeking better value for shareholders. The firm accuses him of ‘greenmail.’

NEW YORK — Answering allegations that he is out to line his wallet, renegade stockholder Kirk Kerkorian challenged Chrysler Corp. on Thursday to ban shareholders from receiving any profit not shared by all.

The No. 3 auto maker has suggested that the Las Vegas billionaire, whose Tracinda Corp. sought to purchase Chrysler six months ago, is seeking a premium-priced buyout of his millions of shares--a practice known as “greenmail.”

Kerkorian has rejected that suggestion. His latest denial was prompted by a speech two days earlier in which Chrysler Chairman Robert J. Eaton accused Kerkorian of seeking “personal gain” at the expense of other shareholders.

Eaton’s unusually harsh speech, along with a national ad campaign, signaled a new aggressive tone by Chrysler in its efforts to rid itself of the Kerkorian thorn.

“I note that you once again suggested that Tracinda would seek to benefit at the expense of other shareholders or consider ‘greenmail,’ ” Kerkorian wrote in a brief letter to Eaton, which began “Dear Bob.”

“To remove any ambiguity on this point, Tracinda is asking the Chrysler board to immediately put in place an appropriate amendment to the bylaws to ensure that no shareholder receives any benefit for its shares that is not equally available to all shareholders,” he wrote.

Chrysler spokesman Steve Harris said the company did not have such a clause in its bylaws, but said: “Mr. Kerkorian’s suggestion is unnecessary since the board’s position is clear--we have no intention of paying him or anyone else greenmail.”

The reclusive Kerkorian has said he only wants better value for all shareholders during a year of pressure tactics that culminated in a failed takeover bid in April.

Since the bid failed, Kerkorian has added 14 million shares to his holdings and hinted that Tracinda wants a seat on the Chrysler board and more stock. Kerkorian and his associates control 14.1% of Chrysler’s stock.

On Thursday, Chrysler stock closed at $51, down 25 cents, on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock has risen from less than $40 since Kerkorian launched his takeover bid.