Maharashtra police foil Naidu’s Babhli visit
17 Jul 2010
Telugu Desam president and leader of opposition N Chandrababu Naidu along with 76 legislators was arrested yesterday by the Nanded police even as hundreds of TDP workers raised slogans on the Andhra Pradesh (AP) side of the border.
The TDP chief and his supporters were to visit the Babhli barrage site in Nanded for an inspection of the project, which the TDP claims is being illegally implemented by Maharashtra.
Alleging deceit on the part of the Maharashtra police, Naidu said he would stay put in the place till he along with the party legislators was allowed to visit the Babhli project and 13 other ''illegal'' irrigation projects constructed across the river Godavari.
Soon following his arrest, RR Patil Maharashtra home minister called him on phone and asked that he give up his protest and return to AP.
Naidu said he would not give up his protest till his demands were met. Patil called up Naidu again in the evening and urged him to call off the protest. However,
Naidu again refused to oblige Patil saying he was not in an enemy country and unless his demand to visit Babli and other projects was met, he would not budge.