Hyderabad: Raising political temperature over the ongoing river water dispute with Karnataka, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on June 30 called up Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and sought his intervention to "rein in" the neighbouring state and ensure it stopped works on Upper Tunga projects.

Terming as "illegal and violative of inter-state agreements and constitutional provisions" the upper riparian Karnataka's moves to take up projects in Upper Tunga basin, Naidu said he would continue an "uncompromising battle" to protect the state's interests.

"I have once again brought this serious issue to the notice of Prime Minister. The Centre has to act and see that illegal projects are stopped forthwith," he told reporters.

After raising a hue and cry over Karnataka's plans on Chitravathi river in Kolar district, AP has now enlarged the scope of its politico-legal battle to the entire Upper Tunga basin arguing that construction of any new project there, beyond permissible capacity utilisation level of 306 TMC, would tantamount to violation of inter-state agreements.

"If states are going to behave irresponsibly and take up irrigation projects indiscriminately ignoring even Central government orders, what happens to the laws of the land?" Naidu wondered.

PTI