NEW DELHI: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday urged President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to direct the Maharashtra Government to immediately stop construction of the Babli project across the Godavari.

A party delegation led by its president N. Chandrababu Naidu met Dr. Kalam and Dr. Singh. Later, addressing protesters, who arrived here from the State on Monday, Mr. Naidu said that both Prime Minister and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy should step down for their `inaction.'

Dr. Singh said the TDP should refrain from politicising the issue. River waters were national resource and all political parties should work together to ensure its equitable utilisation.

Observing that the matter was before courts, Dr. Singh said political parties should not create tension.

`PM should resign'

On Monday, the TDP had stalled proceedings in Parliament protesting against the Babli construction, leading to adjournment of both Houses.

Addressing the protestors at Jantar Mantar, Mr. Naidu reiterated his demand that the Prime Minister should resign as he had not been able to stop Maharashtra from carrying on with the construction work despite orders from the Central Water Commission. In his memorandum to the Prime Minister, Mr. Naidu said: "I request you to issue an appropriate directive to the Maharashtra Government under Article 256 of the Constitution to stop the ongoing construction of Babli project and proposed 11 other barrages forthwith, pending disposal of the issue by the Supreme Court,''

Meanwhile, Congress MPs — Madhu Yashki Goud and L. Rajagopal — accused the TDP of indulging in "cheap tactics'' by raising the issue after one-and-a-half years.

They said the issue came to the fore due to media reports and not by TDP's efforts.

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