Terming as “eyewash” the meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to resolve the Babli irrigation project dispute, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday accused the Centre of favouring Maharashtra.
“The meet was an eyewash. The issue has come back to square one now. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has mortgaged the interests of our State on the issue only to protect his job. The government of India is taking Maharashtra’s side despite justice being on our side,” Mr. Naidu told reporters here.
He wondered why Mr. Rosaiah changed his stand on the Babli issue when all political parties in the State wanted only a political solution to the dispute. “In fact, the Chief Minister himself was also in favour of a political solution and we all promised to stand by the State government. But Mr. Rosaiah compromised on the issue only to protect his job,” the TDP chief alleged.
He also lashed out at AICC president Sonia Gandhi for remaining indifferent on the issue.
“The Centre and the two State governments are run by the Congress. As its chief, can’t she take the initiative and protect the interests of the lower riparian state when it is absolutely clear that Maharashtra has been constructing Babli and 13 other irrigation projects illegally? When she flies down frequently for inaugurations in the State, can’t she find a political solution to the inter-state problem?” Mr. Naidu asked.
Mr. Naidu demanded that the Central and the Andhra Pradesh governments should clearly specify what they were contemplating to do on the issue now and stop Maharashtra from going ahead with the completion of “illegal projects”.
He said the TDP would announce its future course of action on the Babli issue in a couple of days after a detailed discussion with senior leaders.
Meanwhile, Praja Rajyam Party president K. Chiranjeevi also said the outcome of the Chief Ministers’ meeting convened by the Prime Minister has come as a “big disappointment”. He wanted Mr. Rosaiah to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the outcome of the meeting with the Prime Minister.
