Vijayasai Reddy to Initiate Defamation Lawsuit Against Chandrababu Naidu
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Amaravati, Dec 5 (NationPress) YSR Congress Party's National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy declared on Thursday that he will initiate a defamation lawsuit against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the former chairman and managing director of Kakinada Seaports Limited (KSPL), KV Rao, for making false and unfounded accusations against him concerning Kakinada Port and SEZ transactions.
While addressing the media in New Delhi, Reddy claimed that Naidu has been plotting to damage his reputation by employing Rao as a front to file fabricated cases.
He asserted that KV Rao is a broker and a close ally of Naidu, utilized to disseminate falsehoods about the YSRCP leader. He pointed out that the allegations of threats and illicit dealings involving Kakinada Port are completely false. He questioned why Rao, who predominantly resides abroad, opted to make these claims after remaining silent for over four years.
In his criticism of the lookout notices issued against him, Vijayasai Reddy labeled them as politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He stressed that the Chief Minister is utilizing these strategies to mislead the populace and mask his own shortcomings.
He mentioned that the defamation suit, which will be filed in the High Court next week, aims to unveil the Chief Minister’s vendetta politics and Rao’s questionable involvement. Reddy further noted that Chandrababu Naidu’s preoccupation with false narratives instead of governance is detrimental to the state. He cautioned that Naidu will encounter both legal and political repercussions for his actions, assuring that the YSRCP will hold him responsible once they regain power.
KV Rao has lodged a complaint with the Andhra Pradesh CID, alleging the forcible acquisition of Kakinada Port shares valued at Rs 2,500 crore for merely Rs 494 crore during YSRCP's governance.
The former chairman and MD of KSPL accuses former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of orchestrating the illegal acquisition. The FIR also implicates Vijayasai Reddy, the son of Rajya Sabha MP Y. V. Subba Reddy, Y. Vikrant Reddy, Sharath Chandra Reddy, a non-executive director of Aurobindo Pharma, and the auditing firm PKF Sridhar & Santhanam.
As per the complaint, 40 percent of Kakinada Port, appraised at Rs 2,500 crore, was forcibly obtained for just Rs 494 crore. Likewise, 49 percent of Kakinada Special Economic Zone (SEZ), valued at Rs 400 crore, was acquired for a mere Rs 12 crore, even after a competing offer from GMR Group for the full amount.
The CID has issued lookout notices against Vijayasai Reddy, Vikrant Reddy, and Sharat Chandra Reddy to prevent them from exiting the country.
In another development, Vikrant Reddy, identified as A1 in the case, has submitted a petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking anticipatory bail. He has denied the allegations made against him.
