Contrary to the announcements made by Telugu Desam leaders, party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has categorically said on Sunday that he is not going to file an appeal before the Supreme Court against the judgement of the AP High Court which ordered a CBI probe on the basis of a petition filed by Y.S. Vijayalakshmi.

Earlier, TD leaders had said that he will file an appeal before the apex court on Monday. Mr Naidu who reached New Delhi on Sunday to discuss with like minded Opposition leaders the plight of farmers in the state had reliably consulted some legal experts in New Delhi who advised him not to file an appeal before the Supreme Court at this stage, and that it would be better for him to face the CBI investigation.

Mr Naidu told reporters Sunday evening that he will face the CBI investigation and will not go appeal against the HC order. He said in the past, courts had dismissed 23 cases filed by his political opponents regarding various alleged irregularities which were also found in Vijayakshmi’s petition. But still he said he is not interested in going for an appeal to the Supreme Court. Mr Naidu said the CBI was nothing but the Congress Bureau of Investigation and that the Congress leadership had been misusing the organisation to get even with their political rivals.

Mr Naidu reached New Delhi this afternoon, to brief Opposition leaders regarding his version of the CBI investigation against him and also to raise support for farmers issues. He met the CPI leader Mr A.B. Bardhan and JD (U) leader, Mr Sharad Yadav in the evening, and discussed farmers issues including raising the issue in the Parliament session. He is also learnt to have handed over a note prepared by the party on the details of the petition filed by Vijaylakshmi and earlier judgements passed by courts on similar charges.

After meeting Mr Naidu, both Mr Bardhan and Mr Sharad Yadav alleged that the Congress was deliberately trying to fix him, and targeting him. “It is nothing new. Those in power misuse the CBI for hounding their political opponents,” Mr Bardhan said.

DC