Kotia Border Row Heats Up as BJD Delegation Visits Disputed Villages, Opposes Andhra Poll Move

During the visit, BJD leaders interacted with local residents and reiterated the party’s stand that Kotia is an integral part of Odisha.

The delegation asserted that villagers continue to identify themselves with Odisha and criticised Andhra Pradesh’s attempts to exercise administrative control in the region.

Senior party leaders accompanying the delegation stated that a detailed report on the situation would be submitted to Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition and BJD president.

The party maintained that safeguarding Odisha’s territorial integrity remains a priority and vowed to continue raising the issue at various forums.

The delegation also targeted the BJP-led Odisha government, alleging that it has failed to take adequate steps to protect Odisha’s interests in the disputed border region.

BJD leaders claimed that stronger administrative and legal measures were needed to counter Andhra Pradesh’s activities in Kotia.

Highlighting the developmental initiatives undertaken in the area during the previous BJD government, the party said welfare schemes and infrastructure projects had strengthened the connection between local residents and Odisha.

The Kotia dispute, involving several villages in Koraput district, has remained a contentious issue between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for decades.

Both states claim administrative jurisdiction over the region, leading to periodic political and legal confrontations.

With Andhra Pradesh’s panchayat election move triggering fresh tensions, the issue is once again set to take centre stage in Odisha’s political discourse.