“How Can Others Be Involved, We Dealt With SECI”, Jagan Reddy Defends Solar Deal

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly defended the power sale agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and dismissed the recent media allegations against him. While speaking in Tadepalli, Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday, he stated that the deal, which involves the purchase of power at ₹2.49 per unit, was between the central government, represented by SECI, and the state government, with no involvement of third parties. He described the accusations of bribery and corruption as baseless and a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation. Reddy made it clear that he would take legal action against the vernacular media outlets that have been spreading these “wild and false allegations”. He said that if the newspapers failed to issue a public apology within 48 hours, he would file a defamation lawsuit seeking damages of ₹100 crore. The US indictment of eight Adani Group officials had cited Andhra Pradesh as one of the states where officials had been allegedly bribed. The transaction had occurred during the Chief Ministership of Jagan Reddy.