Marri Shashidhar Reddy denies defamation, seeks clarity from Manickam Tagore

HYDERABAD: The legal wrangling between Manickam Tagore, incharge of Congress affairs in Telangana, and Marri Shashidhar Reddy, former Congress leader and a recent entrant into the BJP, has intensified what with the latter firing counter salvos to a legal notice served on him.

Unruffled by the legal action initiated by Manickam Tagore over his allegations of corruption, Marri Shashidhar Reddy appeared defiant and determined to take Manickam Tagore head on. In his reply (dated December 17, 2022) to the legal notice served by the incharge of Telangana Congress affairs, the son of Marri Chenna Reddy said that he failed to understand what was so insinuating and defamatory in his statement.

He also referred to similar allegations made several months back by Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy against TPCC chief Revanth Reddy, Manickam Tagore and AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal and wondered why they were not denied by any one of them.

"None of these three persons mentioned in your notice have neither denied it (allegations) nor issued a notice to the said MP, who is a member of the Congress Party even today.

"Regarding alleged reference to monetary dealings to appoint (Shri) Revanth Reddy as TPCC president, neither (Shri) KC Venugopal nor (Shri) Revanth Reddy have denied it. You do not have instructions or authorisation to address their grievance," Shashidhar Reddy stated in his reply.

The former Congress leader raised several key points and sought clarity from Manickam Tagore before he could choose to give his elaborate reply.

Below are some of the key points mentioned in Marri Shashidhar Reddy's reply to the legal notice:

Statement that Manickam Tagore is AICC General Secretary is wrong, misleading and such a claim must be withdrawn.

Regarding Expulsion from the Congress by the State Disciplinary Committee, it lacked jurisdiction and power as per provisions of the Congress Constitution since I was AICC Member. I was not expelled. I have resigned.

Even after reading the legal notice several times, I could not understand as to which portion of my statement is an insinuation and defamatory.

Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, a Congress Member of Lok Sabha, had made a statement several months back regarding the culture of the Congress party, a video and photos are attached.

Not denied by any of the three persons, whom you have mentioned in your notice and none of the three persons named in your notice have issued a notice to the said MP, who is a member of the Congress party even today.

Regarding alleged reference to monetary dealings to appoint Revanth Reddy as TPCC president, neither KC Venugopal nor Revanth Reddy have denied it. You do not have instructions or authorisation to address their grievance.

Unable to comprehend from the text and tenor of your notice as to who is your client! Manickam Tagore, KC Venugopal or Revanth Reddy? Or others? Kindly clarify in this regard so as to enable me to give a proper reply.

Therefore, it is requested that the notice should be withdrawn. It is textually and contextually incorrect and not denied by the persons named.

I reserve my right to give elaborate reply in the event of your giving explanations to my queries stated above.