Hyderabad: As a fresh dispute is brewing between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka over latter's move to construct an irrigation project over Chitravati river, the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) MPs are planning to seek intervention by Prime Minister and the President to stop upper riparian state from going ahead with the project.

Accusing Karnataka of 'violating the federal spirit, constitutional provisions and inter-state agreements', the Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party (TDPP) leader K Yerran Naidu and Rajya Sabha members C Ramachandraiah and R Chandrasekhar Reddy told reporters that AP was prepared for legal battle to seek justice.

A delegation of TDP MPs would soon meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and President A P J Abdul Kalam and submit memorandum highlighting how Karnataka was unilaterally going ahead with the construction of the project, in violation of river water agreements of 1892 and 1933 which make it mandatory for any state to seek the consent of other riparian state before taking up any project.

"We are expecting appointment with Prime Minister and President in a couple of days and we seek their intervention in view of the grave situation," the MPs said.

They contended that Paragodu project, if completed, would spell disaster for Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh turning it into a 'desert'.

They also lashed out at the opposition Congress leaders for failing to take up the issue with their party high command and convince the S M Krishna government in Karnataka to stop the project.

PTI