YSRCP leader Kesineni Srinivas
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Describing the ₹100-crore defamation suit filed against him by his younger brother and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) as an ‘intimidation tactic’, YSRCP leader and former MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) has said that he will not be cowered down by such move.

Mr. Sivanath filed the defamation suit against his brother in connection with the allegations the latter made regarding the land allocation by the government to Ursa Clusters for a data centre project proposed in Visakhapatnam.

“I remind him (Mr. Sivanath) that I stand by every word I wrote. This legal notice is not only an act of intimidation but also a clear attempt to suppress criticism, silence voices, and shut mouths. I will not remain silent even if a defamation suit of ₹1 lakh crore is filed against me,” Mr. Nani said in a statement after receiving the legal notice, on Friday.

The former MP said that he had served Vijayawada with honesty, transparency, and pride.

“The defamation suit was filed because I raised legitimate questions in an open letter addressed to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu,” he said.

Mr. Nani further said that it was an honour to represent the people of Vijayawada in Parliament for ten years, adding that he had discharged that responsibility with accountability, transparency, and integrity.

“Public office is subject to public scrutiny. When questions are raised about land dealings, abuse of power, and alleged irregularities, answers are expected, not threats,” he said.

“I know what I stood for and what I am fighting against. I will not compromise due to fear. I will respond resolutely and openly with facts. Neither does the truth bow down to threats nor will I,” he added.