The delegation, comprising leaders from the undivided Koraput district, interacted with locals and urged them not to participate in the elections that Andhra Pradesh plans to hold in the disputed Kotia region in three phases — November 26, November 29 and December 2
Subhashish Mohanty Published 24.10.26, 08:26 AM
Members of the BJD team in Kotia on Friday Sourced by the Telegraph
A 16-member Biju Janata Dal (BJD) delegation on Friday visited the disputed Kotia region and raised the slogan “Andhra Go Back” to assert Odisha’s claims over the area.
The delegation, comprising leaders from the undivided Koraput district, interacted with locals and urged them not to participate in the elections that Andhra Pradesh plans to hold in the disputed Kotia region in three phases — November 26, November 29 and December 2.
The BJD leaders reiterated that the area rightfully belongs to Odisha and urged the Mohan Charan Majhi-led government to take strong measures to safeguard the state’s interests.
The leaders criticised the Majhi government, pointing out that BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s letter to the chief minister had remained unanswered.
Senior BJD leader Bhrugu Buxipatra said: “The double-engine government has failed to protect the state’s interests on the Kotia issue.”
During the visit, the leaders sought to sensitise residents about Odisha’s claims over Kotia and appealed to them to stay away from Andhra Pradesh’s electoral process.
Another leader, Pradeep Majhi, alleged that the previous BJD government had undertaken several initiatives to promote development in Kotia and ensure better facilities and opportunities for its residents.
“The present Majhi government in Odisha has miserably failed to initiate steps for the region’s development,” Pradeep said, adding that the delegation would soon submit a report on the issue to Naveen.
The Odisha BJP hit back, accusing the BJD of trying to politicise the issue.
“The state government has already constituted teams under the chairmanship of the chief minister and the revenue minister. Steps are being taken for the development of the area,” said BJP state general secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy.
Tripathy accused the BJD of trying to build a false narrative around the issue.
The Odisha government on Friday moved the Supreme court urging it to maintain the status quo in the Kotia region.
It has filed a contempt petition against the chief secretary and other senior officials of the Andhra Pradesh government, alleging that orders of the Supreme Court were being violated.
Get accurate news by selecting Telegraph India on Google
