Kotia, a hill panchayat in Koraput’s Pottangi block, remains disputed between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
BHUBANESWAR: Leader of opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Monday wrote to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, questioning the state government’s silence after Andhra Pradesh announced panchayat elections that could extend to disputed villages in Kotia, “an integral part of Odisha”.In the letter dated Oct 19, Patnaik asked what had become of the BJP’s pre-2024 manifesto promise that a “double engine government” would resolve the Kotia issue “once and for all” and restore "Odia Swabhiman". He asked whether the “Go Back Andhra” slogan was merely a gimmick to win votes.
Is political dependence the reason?
Patnaik pointed out that the Telugu Desam Party, which governs Andhra Pradesh, is a crucial ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, whose majority it helps sustain. He asked whether this dependence explained the
Odisha
government’s silence and its willingness to compromise the state’s interests.
He also sought the recommendations of the 16-member Kotia Committee constituted in 2025 and the action taken on them.
What is the ?
Kotia panchayat, under Pottangi block of Koraput district, has 28 villages. Odisha maintains that all of them belong to Koraput, while Andhra Pradesh claims 21 and extends administrative services to residents, identifying several settlements by different names. The dispute has lasted for decades.
Naveen Patnaik wrote to CM Mohan Charan Manjhi on Monday.
Naveen Patnaik's letter to CM Mohan Charan Manjhi.
Why is it back in focus?
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has announced rural polls in three phases on Nov 26, 29 and Dec 2, covering Parvathipuram Manyam district, which includes villages claimed by both states. However, polling dates for the disputed Kotia villages have not been specified. Pottangi tehsildar DBS Dharua said the administration was monitoring developments and “necessary action will be taken”.
Legal backdrop
The dispute reached the Supreme Court in 1968, which directed both states to maintain status quo.
Tensions escalated in Feb 2021 when Andhra held panchayat elections in the disputed villages, prompting Odisha to approach the apex court, alleging violation of the status quo.
Pressure mounts on BJP
Congress has also targeted the government. Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka asked why Odisha was silent when the BJP was in power in Odisha and at the Centre and was part of the ruling alliance in Andhra. Pottangi MLA Ram Chandra Kadam urged resolving the issue through dialogue, while Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati warned of a mass agitation if the government failed to act.
BJP functionary Goutam Samantaray said the government was committed to protecting Odisha’s territorial integrity and was monitoring developments. He said the dispute should be resolved through administrative and diplomatic channels rather than being politicised.