States » EastPosted at: Oct 20 2026 7:24PM


BJD demands urgent intervention over Andhra’s election preparations in disputed Kotia territory

Bhubaneswar, Oct 20 (UNI) The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday accused the BJP government in Odisha of failing to protect the State’s territorial interests in Kotia, alleging that its alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which governs Andhra Pradesh, has compromised its response to the border dispute.
Referring to a letter by BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue, party media coordinator Lenin Mohanty alleged that Andhra Pradesh had initiated preparations for panchayat elections in disputed villages, including Phagunsineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri, despite the long-standing status quo order of the Supreme Court.
Mohanty said the BJP had promised before the 2024 Assembly elections to resolve the dispute and stop Andhra Pradesh’s interference, using the slogan “Go Back Andhra”. However, the government had failed to deliver on those assurances, he alleged.
Contrasting the BJP’s record with the previous BJD government’s initiatives, Mohanty said more than Rs 108 crore was spent on Kotia’s development between 2000 and 2024. Investments covered roads, education, healthcare, housing, drinking water, electricity and livelihood programmes, alongside efforts to promote Odia language and culture.
He also questioned the status of a 16-member committee constituted by the BJP government in 2025, demanding that its recommendations and the action taken be made public.
Kotia comprises 28 villages, including 21 disputed ones. The dispute has been pending before the Supreme Court since 1968, and Odisha filed a fresh case in January 2022 to defend its claim.
The BJD demanded that the State government take immediate legal steps to prevent Andhra Pradesh from conducting elections in the disputed villages and disclose the committee’s findings. Mohanty said Odisha’s territorial interests must not be subordinated to the BJP-TDP alliance’s political considerations.
UNI MK RSA
Tags: #BJD demands urgent intervention over Andhra’s election preparations in disputed Kotia territory
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