Legal battle on in apex court: YSR

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 14. The leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has strongly defended withdrawal of the writ petitions filed by him against the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, in the High Court on the ground that he is pursuing the legal battle in the Supreme Court.

``For strategic reasons, I have withdrawn the cases in the High Court, which I cannot discuss with you. But the subject matter relating to allegations of corruption and abuse of power against the Chief Minister is covered by the Special Leave Petition filed in the apex court and the legal fight is on,'' Dr. Reddy asserted at a media conference on Thursday.

Dr. Reddy refuted the allegations appearing in a section of the press that the withdrawal of the cases was the result of a secret understanding with the Chief Minister. ``I am a born fighter and the allegations of a secret deal was part of a mudslinging campaign against me,'' he said. The CLP leader also denied the suggestions that the withdrawal of the cases in the High Court was ``hasty and damaged the image of the Congress Party.'' It was a well-thought-over decision and would not in any manner affect the party's image or its fortunes in the coming panchayat elections.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy deplored that an ``unnecessary controversy'' was raked up over the issue by ``some vested interests'' (in the Congress), ``who faulted me if I used harsh language against Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and yet accuse me of having an understanding with him.''

Mr. S. Ramachander Rao, senior advocate and counsel for

Dr. Reddy, present at the press conference, said three out of 11 cases filed by them were struck down and eight cases were withdrawn as the issues raised in them were covered by the Special Leave Petition filed in the Supreme Court on January 29, 2000.

He reasoned that the withdrawal of the cases was done to avoid influence on the appeals pending in the Supreme Court of any adverse observations that the High Court might make.

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