Chavan visits Tirumala, TDP forgets promise to stop him

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Thursday refused to comment on the controversial Babli Dam row between Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, saying the matter was before the Supreme Court.

Mr Chavan was speaking to media persons during this three-hour visit to worship Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on the occasion of his 52nd birthday.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister stated that commenting on the issue would invite the Supreme Court’s wrath as the matter was sub-judice.

Mr Chavan also stated that the Apex Court would take a final decision on the controversial Babli irrigation project issue.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s visit went unnoticed by members of the Telugu Desam Party, who had vowed not to allow him to enter the state.

The TDP activists had promised to use all their resources after the Maharashtra government had arrested the party president N Chandrababu Naidu and 74 other leaders, who sought to visit the Babli irrigation project site in July.

A week after Mr Naidu was ‘deported’ to Hyderabad, Mr Chavan was scheduled to visit the temple. He however did not do so. The TDP rank and file had mobilized its cadre to stop Mr Chavan at the Puttaparti airport itself and not let him step into the district.