Has Chief Minister K. Rosaiah mortgaged the interests of Andhra Pradesh on the Babli water row to protect his job? The Central government is certainly taking Maharashtra’s side although the justice is on Andhra Pradesh side. These were the doubts and opinions expressed by Telugu Desam leader N Chandrababu Naidu before mediamen on Tuesday.
The Opposition leader who led a delegation of 74 leaders to Maharashtra recently and returned bruised wondered why. Rosaiah changed his stand on the Babli issue when all political parties in the State wanted a political solution to the dispute.
“The Chief Minister himself was in favour of a political solution and we all promised to stand by the State government. But Rosaiah compromised on the issue only to protect his job,” the TDP chief alleged.
Naidu 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?'' Naidu asked.