The Hindu : Sonia can protect AP's irrigation interests: Naidu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Sonia can protect AP's irrigation interests: Naidu

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD June 22. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, today asserted that the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, was in a position to safeguard the irrigation interests of Andhra Pradesh by exercising her influence over the Karnataka Chief Minister, S. M. Krishna.

Disagreeing with the Congress party's formulation that she was not a Constitutional authority to intervene in the inter- State row over Upper Tunga and Paragodu projects, he said her party was ruling Karnataka and she was well placed to use her goodwill to protect AP's interests.

Mr. Naidu, who was talking to reporters, said that in keeping with the philosophy that the party was supreme, Ms. Gandhi had organised conclaves in Guwahati and Srinagar and issued directions to Congress Chief Ministers on issues like good governance and development.

Expressing disappointment over her inability to give an interview to the all-party delegation, Mr. Naidu said the A. P. Resident Commissioner in New Delhi, R. Bhattacharjee, the Special Representative, C. Laxmanna, and even the TDPP leader, K. Yerran Naidu, had contacted her office seeking an appointment. But, they were advised that the team should meet Manmohan Singh. "However, it is felt that the purpose of restraining Karnataka would not be served by calling on Dr. Singh,'' he added.

He criticised the Congress for changing its stand now by saying that someone higher-up than the Resident Commissioner should have contacted Ms. Gandhi's office. The common practice in New Delhi was that such tasks were handled by Resident Commissioners of different States. "I have no problems of prestige in meeting Ms. Gandhi,'' he added.

To a question, the Chief Minister said the BJP president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, was in a different bracket when it came to intervening in an inter-State row. Although the Prime Minister belonged to his party, he was not in a position like Ms. Gandhi to influence Mr. Krishna.

Asked whether he was willing to meet his Karnataka counterpart, Mr. Naidu quipped, "what do I talk with him when he has refused to release water for drinking purposes from Almatti Dam. I spoke to him three times proposing joint construction of the Tungabhadra parallel high level canal. But, he refused my offer.''

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