Maharashtra will not yield "even a drop" of its share of water to Andhra Pradesh, Home Minister RR Patil on Saturday said, questioning TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu's stance over the Babhli barrage row.
"Why didn't Naidu raise the Babhli issue when he was the Chief Minister?" Maharashtra is being held to ransom for Telangana bypolls," he said.
Describing Naidu's botched visit to the contentious barrage in Nanded district as a political stunt, Patil told reporters in Mumbai this evening that when he was Andhra CM, he never felt like visiting the irrigation project site area.
"Naidu never felt like discussing the issue nor did he go to court. He never took any stance. The whole drama is being enacted keeping in mind Telangana bypolls," Patil said.
If he is so keen to resolve the issue, he should first stage protests on Andhra soil, Patil said. "Maharashtra already gets less than its share of river waters. We will not
compromise even a drop of water," he said, adding water was needed for Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.
Naidu, who along with TDP legislators and MPs, was held by Maharashtra Police at Dharmabad on Friday, was sent to two-day judicial custody on Saturday after he refused to accept bail.
{{/usCountry}}Naidu, who along with TDP legislators and MPs, was held by Maharashtra Police at Dharmabad on Friday, was sent to two-day judicial custody on Saturday after he refused to accept bail.
{{/usCountry}}A bandh was observed in Dharmabad town where he was lodged, to protest against the "adamant" stand of the TDP leaders.