YSR Congress Party leader and former Gannavaram MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi on Thursday served a legal notice on sitting Gannavaram MLA Yarlagadda Venkata Rao of the Telugu Desam Party, demanding that he withdraw what Vamsi described as false and defamatory allegations and issue a public apology within seven days.
In the notice, Vamsi warned that failure to comply would result in civil and criminal defamation proceedings, along with other legal action available under the law.
According to the notice, Yarlagadda made baseless allegations against Vamsi during a media conference held on July 13 in connection with the Gannavaram airport issue, without producing any supporting evidence.
Vamsi alleged that the remarks were intended to damage his personal reputation and public image.
He further argued that an elected public representative is expected to act responsibly and that making unverified allegations against political opponents is legally and ethically unacceptable.
The notice demanded that Yarlagadda formally withdraw the allegations and issue an unconditional public apology within seven days.
The legal notice follows an earlier letter written by Vamsi on July 14 to TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, urging him to respond to what Vamsi described as false allegations made by one of his party legislators.
Responding to the legal notice, Yarlagadda said he stood by the allegations and had no intention of withdrawing them.
The MLA maintained that his statements were based on facts and said he was prepared to defend them in court, if necessary.
His response indicates that the political dispute between the two leaders may now turn into a legal battle.
