Bhubaneswar: The decades-old territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over Kotia has returned to the political spotlight, with the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress questioning the BJP-led Odisha government’s response to Andhra Pradesh’s move to conduct panchayat elections in the disputed region.
BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Monday wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing concern over Andhra Pradesh’s proposed rural local body elections in areas that Odisha considers an integral part of its territory. He questioned whether the BJP’s political alliance with Andhra Pradesh’s ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was affecting the state government’s response to the issue.
Patnaik also sought clarification on the recommendations of the 16-member high-level Kotia Committee constituted in 2025 and the steps taken to implement them. He questioned the BJP’s earlier promise to resolve the dispute through its “double-engine government” and safeguard Odisha’s territorial integrity.
The Congress has also criticised the State government’s alleged silence. Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka questioned why the Odisha government had not clearly explained its position, given that the BJP is in power in Odisha and at the Centre and is allied with the TDP in Andhra Pradesh. Pottangi MLA Ram Chandra Kadam called for immediate intervention and dialogue to ensure that residents of Kotia do not suffer because of the inter-state dispute.
Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati warned of a mass agitation if the state government failed to act to protect Odisha’s territorial interests. Responding to the criticism, BJP functionary Goutam Samantaray said the government was committed to protecting the state’s territorial integrity and that the matter should be handled through administrative and diplomatic channels rather than politicised.
Andhra Pradesh has announced rural local body elections in three phases on November 26, 29 and December 2. However, polling dates for the disputed Kotia villages have not been specified, and the Odisha administration has said it is monitoring developments.
Kotia panchayat, located in Pottangi block of Koraput district, comprises 28 villages. While Odisha maintains that all 28 villages belong to the state, Andhra Pradesh claims 21 of them and has extended administrative services to residents.
The dispute has persisted for decades. The matter reached the Supreme Court in 1968, when the court directed both states to maintain the status quo. Tensions escalated again in February 2021 after Andhra Pradesh conducted panchayat elections in disputed villages, prompting Odisha to approach the apex court.
With Andhra Pradesh’s latest election preparations bringing the issue back into focus, pressure is mounting on the Odisha government to clarify its position and outline concrete steps to safeguard the state’s territorial claims and the interests of Kotia residents.