Bhubaneswar: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday claimed that the Andhra Pradesh government’s attempt to hold panchayat polls in disputed Kotia region has failed miserably.
According to Pujari, the neighbouring state could not lure the voters of Kotia panchayat in Koraput district despite making repeated attempts in this regard. “Andhra Pradesh government’s attempt to lure voters in Kotia has failed,” said Pujari amid reports that some villagers of Kotia cast their votes at polling booths set up inside the Andhra territory.
The Revenue Minister claimed that the Andhra Pradesh authorities had taken away a few villagers of Kotia around three days ago. These villagers along with a few others cast their votes in the panchayat polls conducted by the neighbouring state.
“A few villagers were taken away three or four days earlier and kept within Andhra Pradesh’s territory. However, some other villagers from adjoining areas travelled through the jungles to cast their votes. Their number was negligible, while the majority of voters in the Kotia area stayed away from voting,” said the Minister.
Pujari also stated that the Andhra Pradesh government could not set up a single polling booth in Kotia due to the timely and coordinated efforts by the Odisha government, Koraput district administration, Odisha Police, political outfits and the locals.
“Andhra Pradesh failed to set up a polling station in the Kotia area and retreated yesterday. The district administration, political parties, social organisations and the people of Kotia have done a commendable job,” he said.
It is worth mentioning here that both Odisha and Andhra have been claiming ownership over the Kotia group of villages for last several decades.
However, the Supreme Court had asked both sides to maintain status quo in the disputed region while a hearing a petition with regard to the territorial dispute some years ago.
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