Hyderabad:
His attempt to visit the Babhli dam in Maharashtra led to his arrest, and an unceremonious exit - the Maharashtra government forced Chandrababu Naidu onto a plane as his supporters lay down on the tarmac to register their protest. Those scenes notwithstanding, Naidu declared his excursion was "not a political drama."
Now back home, Naidu is still jockeying for the role of a superhero of sorts who was willing to sacrifice much to ensure that Maharashtra was not grabbing more than its fair share of water from the Babhli dam. The war over the water is being fought in the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to decide the matter next month. But with elections in Telangana just days away, it's in Naidu's interest to project himself as a warrior for Telangana - after all, it's the farmers here who're worried that the Babhli dam will deprive them of their share of the River Godavari. (
Blog: Andhra's ex-CEO crosses the line)
So Naidu attacked Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday, accusing him of not jumping in when he was arrested, along with 70 supporters, by the Maharashtra government.
"When we were there for five days, tortured by the police who were kicking us with their shoes, what was this CM doing? Dear chief minister, posts are not important. You have got this post by the people's mandate. When that Telugu community is being dishonoured, don't you have any shame or courage to protect state's interest?" said Naidu.
Naidu had been forewarned by Maharashtra that an attempt to visit the dam would lead to his arrest on the grounds that his presence there could cause a law and order problem.
Rosaiah helpfully reminded him that the Babhi project was sanctioned in 1995, and that its construction began in 2005 - when Naidu was Chief Minister. "When all this was happening, who was ruling in the state? Why didn't he go on a yatra at that time? Today I think if these bypolls in Telangana were not there, he would not be in any urgency."
Naidu, like several other politicians, has lost considerable standing in Telangana because he did not back its campaign to be granted statehood. If this is his attempt to ingratiate himself in the hearts of voters here, it has been recognized as such - which may somewhat defeat the purpose.