TDP shutdown in Andhra Pradesh over Naidu's arrest

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has called for a shutdown across Andhra Pradesh on Monday to protest the arrest of its chief, Chandrababu Naidu.

Naidu was arrested along with 75 other politicians, including MPs, state legislators and former ministers, by Maharashtra Police on Friday for violating prohibitory orders.

They were taken into preventive custody as they tried to visit the Babli Dam in Maharashtra to find out whether that state is grabbing more than its share of water from the River Godavari.

Naidu claimed he was there only to inspect the contentious Babhali Barrage project and to fight for Andhra's fair share of water.

Several educational institutions, cinema halls, petrol-filling stations and markets are likely to remain closed today.

Amidst concerns over the controversial project, TDP leaders want to see the Babli project ahead of their July 23 meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

An all-party delegation from Andhra Pradesh is expected to meet Singh this Friday.