Ignoring the request of his Andhra Pradesh counterpart K. Rosaiah to allow Mr Chandrababu Naidu to visit the Babhali irrigation project site, Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan on Sunday appealed to the TDP chief to return to his state owing to the “sensitive” situation in the region.
“I have requested Chandrababu to return to Andhra Pradesh as the situation in the area is very sensitive,” Mr Chavan said here on Sunday. Chandrababu is trying to politicise the situation, keeping an eye on byelections in Andhra Pradesh. He should take bail and return to his state, Mr Chavan said. “He either has to go back or his custody would be extended. But it not correct to enter the state by breaking laws and then call for a bandh in Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr Rosaiah spoke to Mr Chavan urging him to let a Telugu Desam Party team led by party chief Naidu to visit the controversial Babhali barrage.
“The matter is sub judice and the court’s decision has to be respected,” Mr Chavan said, adding, “What is he going to achieve by visiting Babhali barrage?”
The TDP chief and 74 partymen were arrested at Dharmabad during the protest over an irrigation project in Babhli and remanded to two days’ judicial custody on Saturday after they refused to take bail.
Meanwhile, local politicians have set up an All-Party Action Committee on the initiative of Congress MP Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar and MLA Omprakash Pokarana. Mr Khatgaonkar said: “We have requested the government to ask Chandrababu to leave the place by tomorrow.”