Naidu blames Maha Govt for constructions

Telugu Desam chief and Opposition leader in Andhra Pradesh N.Chandrababu Naidu on Monday told newsmen here that the Maharashtra Government detained him and his party colleagues illegally on July 16 when he tried to visit Babli Dam, which is built on the river Godavari near the Andhra Pradesh border.

 Alleging that the Maharashtra government was building the dam illegally, Naidu said Maharashtra is part of India. Anybody who wishes to see a project can go and see without obtaining a visa or passport. ''If the project construction is not illegal, what are they afraid of? Second, Maharashtra Police do not have any business to enter Andhra Pradesh territory. They entered and took us by promising to take us to Babhli. This is also illegal," said Naidu outside Parliament House in New Delhi.

It is not a controversy between the Marathis and Telugu people, naidu made it clear. ''We are very clear on that. Immediately after this, I gave a call not to damage Maharashtra properties, buses, lorries or any other things. Injustice is being done by Maharashtra Government to backward areas by constructing the barrages which will deprieve water to Andhra Pradesh," Naidu said.

Naidu denied allegations made by the Shiv Sena that the TDP's protest was a political trick to score points ahead of the upcoming by-elections in Telangana areas of Andhra Pradesh.

"It is not concerned with the polls. Elections will come and go. Telugu Desam has faced so many elections. These are only 12 seats, even if we win all 12 seats we won't be able to form the government. So that is not a big issue," said Naidu.