Mah govt to lodge protest with PM about Babhali dam issue

Mumbai, Apr 10 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said the state government would soon call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of Babhali dam in Nanded district, which is being constructed by the government as per the directions of an arbitrator.

He made this statement in the wake of the issue raised by Jeetendra Avad (NCP) on the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's alleged statement recently that he would blow up the dam with a bomb if constructed. The dam is on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Mr Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, said Maharashtra follows the law and constitution while dealing with Karnataka on Almatti dam and Belgaum issues or with Andhra Pradesh.

He urged the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of which Mr Naidu is president and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy not to resort to action which would create tension in the state.

''We will also talk with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil about the threats being given to the construction of the dam,'' Mr Patil said and added that Babhali dam will be constructed at any cost.

UNI