NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday described as "absurd", the charge of Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had "insulted Telugu pride".

"It is absolute nonsense. How does the advice (by Prime Minister to Mr. Naidu not to politicise Babli issue) construe to be an insult to Telugu pride? The Opposition leader was trying to politicise the issue and get mileage," Dr. Reddy told correspondents at a press conference.

The Chief Minister said Mr. Naidu should be aware that the Supreme Court had permitted Maharashtra to go ahead with construction but directed that gates should not be put up till the final disposal of the case.

After the apex court's decision, there was little the Centre could do in directing Maharashtra to stop construction.

He said the TDP had impleaded itself in the Babli case and the order by the apex court came after arguments were presented by State Government counsel as also lawyers representing the TDP.

By spending crores for transporting people from Andhra Pradesh in a special train, it clearly shows that the TDP chief was seeking to play politics.

Asked whether the State Government would support the candidature of senior leader G. Venkataswamy, who is aspiring to be a presidential candidate, Dr. Reddy said, if he has such an opportunity, support should be extended.

During his visit, the Chief Minister urged the Centre for assistance of Rs. 292.31 crore to tackle drought in the State.

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