Contrary to Vodafone's statement that Essar was a 'natural partner' in its pursuit to acquire Hutch-Essar, media reports on Friday expressed fears that the Ruias-promoted Indian conglomerate was determined to prevent the British giant from acquiring the venture.

A number of reports here, including one in Financial Times, as also the US daily Wall Street Journal, have quoted unnamed sources as saying that Essar may try to outbid Vodafone or take the fight to court.

A WSJ report said Essar, a 33 per cent partner in the target company, would deem any move by Vodafone to raise its bid for Hutch-Essar as hostile and would try to match the bid again or fight in court.

Essar could also try to team up with another bidder Reliance Communications in the battle with Vodafone, WSJ said.

• The race for Hutch-Essar: Coverage

However, analysts in India feel such a situation would not be possible given the regulatory framework in the country.

The US daily said Vodafone has put forward a non-binding initial bid of $16.5 billion for Hutch-Essar and Essar plans to use its 'contractual rights' to match Vodafone's bid.

Vodafone chief Arun Sarun had said during his two-day visit to India that a formal bid was still a few weeks away.

Meanwhile, FT cited unnamed sources as saying Vodafone could be forced to raise its $17 billion expected offer to prevent Essar from exercising 'blocking tactics' over a deal.

Essar is determined to match Vodafone's offer and exercise its claimed right of first refusal over two-third of the company owned by its foreign partner, unless it could be dissuaded by a sharply higher offer from Vodafone, FT said.

• The race for Hutch-Essar: Coverage