HC didnt ask to file counter, says Botcha

HYDERABAD: PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana has brushed aside YSR Congress leaders’ criticism that the Congress government failed to file a counter petition in the High Court against inclusion of former CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s name in the CBI’s FIR.In fact, the HC had never asked the government or the Congress to file a petition or explanation but it was the lawyers of YSR Congress who urged the court to seek government’s counter on the matter.The court, however, said that it was not necessary, the PCC chief told reporters here on Thursday.Botcha also brushed aside YSR Congress leaders’ demand for resignation of all Congress MLAs on the ground that they had been elected on the strength of YSR’s image.There were several MPs and MLAs who had won elections in the past without using YSR’s photo during campaigning.“If their claim is justifiable, what about the defeated Congress candidates numbering about 150 in the last elections? I had been elected an MP in 1999 much before YSR came on the scene in 2004.YSR had never projected himself at elections and always promised to bring back ‘Indiramma rajyam”, Satyanarayana remarked.Replying to a query, Botcha said he was ready to declare his assets in the form of an affidavit before the government provided the Centre sought it.There would not be much variation in the income generated out of agriculture activity, but there would be variation in income in respect of business owned by the members.