Maharashtra government detained us illegally, claims Naidu

New Delhi, July 26 (ANI): Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, has alleged that the Maharashtra Government detained him and other party activists illegally.

Naidu was arrested on July 16 after he tried to visit the Babli Dam, which is built on the River Godavari near the Andhra Pradesh-Maharashtra border, for an inspection. Naidu alleges that the Maharashtra government is constructing the dam illegally.

"Maharashtra is part and parcel of India. Anybody wants to see any project, there is no need to take visa or passport, and we can go and see. If it is not illegal, then why are they afraid? Second, Maharashtra Police does not have any force to enter Andhra territory, and by cheating, they took us. That is also illegal," said Naidu in New Delhi.

Protests broke out in parts of Andhra Pradesh after Naidu's arrest. In the border regions of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra there were reports of clashes between citizens of states.

"It is not a controversy between Marathis and Telugu people. We are very clear on that. Immediately after this, I gave a call, don't damage Maharashtra properties, even buses, lorries or any other things. This is not a fight between two communities; injustice is being done by Maharashtra Government to backward areas of Andhra Pradesh," Naidu said.

Naidu denied allegations made by the Shiv Sena that the TDP's protest was a political trick to score points ahead of the upcoming by-elections in Andhra Pradesh.

"No, it is no way concerned to by-polls. Elections will come, Telugu Desam Party has faced so many elections, these are only 12 seats, even if we win all 12 seats we won't be able to form the government. So that is not a big issue," said Naidu.

Both the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh governments have taken the matter to the Supreme Court. (ANI)