Expressing grave concern over sharing of river waters turning into a rivalry between states, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Monday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to urgently convene a meeting of leaders of all political parties to evolve a consensual approach on the issue.

Without directly referring to the unilateral scrapping of water sharing agreements with neighbouring states by the Congress government in Punjab, he said, "Everyone has a viewpoint on sharing of river waters. Punjab has its needs; so do Haryana and Rajasthan. Every state, every political party has a right to take a stand in a democracy."

"That is not the issue. A democracy only functions by mutual consent, not by arbitrary action. Passions are building that need to be calmed immediately, before they burst into flames."

"It is a matter of grave concern that the sharing of river waters, which is a national issue, is turning into a rivalry between states driven by populist gains. I am worried that a conflagration could consume our country. Water is an essential commodity, which arouses the deepest emotions among people, particularly our farmers," Vajpayee said.

In the letter, copies of which were released to the media, Vajpayee said, "I urge that all of us treat this as a national problem that could degenerate into a crisis and seek amicable answers to dangerous questions. I suggest that you urgently convene a meeting of the leaders of all political parties to evolve a consensual approach to sharing of river waters."