PM promises political solution to Babli row

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Monday gave a patient ear to the all-party delegation from Andhra Pradesh which complained about the illegal construction of the Babli project on Godavari by Maharashtra and reportedly promised to find a ‘political solution’.

While the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, said that the Prime Minister was sympathetic, the Telugu Desam, which undertook a massive stir over the issue last week, said his response was unsatisfactory.

Further, the TD president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, ridiculed the Prime Minister by saying that he lacked ‘technical knowledge’ of the issue.

The TD also skipped the consultation meeting called by Mr Rosaiah ahead of the meeting with the Prime Minister.

Emerging from the meeting, Mr Rosaiah struck a positive note by saying the Prime Minister heard out the delegation for nearly 45 minutes.

The Chief Minister said he had told Dr Singh that Maharashtra was resorting to an illegal construction leaving the lower riparian state in a difficult situation.

“The Prime Minister said that it was a delicate issue and that he would consult the technical committee and then find an amicable solution to the imbroglio,” said Mr Rosaiah.

He added that Dr Singh also promised to consider the request for a conference of Chief Ministers.