Maharashtra Govt. to withdraw charges against Chandrababu Naidu

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI - The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday decided to withdraw all the charges against Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu and made arrangements for him and his supporters to fly back to Andhra Pradesh.

Official sources said the step is being taken following a proposal by the Maharashtra Law and Judiciary Ministry to move Naidu and his supporters out of Maharashtra.

Chandrababu Naidu has, however, refused to board the special chartered plane arranged by the Maharashtra Government.

“Will not go back to Andhra Pradesh till I visit Babli Dam project,” said Naidu.

The Maharashtra police on Friday arrested Naidu along with 75 other politicians, including MPs, state legislators and former ministers for violating prohibitory orders.

They were taken into preventive custody as they tried to visit the Babli Dam in Maharashtra to find out whether that state is grabbing more than its share of water from the River Godavari.

Naidu claimed he was there only to inspect the contentious Babhali Barrage project and to fight for Andhra Pradesh’s fair share of water.

Several educational institutions, cinema halls, petrol-filling stations and markets are likely to remain closed today.

Amidst concerns over the controversial project, TDP leaders want to see the Babli project ahead of their July 23 meeting with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

An all-party delegation from Andhra Pradesh is expected to meet Dr. Singh this Friday. (ANI)