Bhubaneswar: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday informed that the state government has filed a petition against the Andhra Pradesh government over the neighbouring state’s notification for panchayat elections in the disputed Kotia area.
Pujari said Andhra Pradesh has violated the Supreme Court order to maintain status quo on Kotia by notifying the panchayat elections there. The Koraput Collector has filed a contempt proceeding against the Andhra Pradesh government, making the Andhra Election Commissioner, the Chief Secretary, the Collector of the concerned district, and other officers engaged in the election management a party in the matter, he added.
“We will also pray to the Supreme Court to direct the Andhra government to refrain from such illegal activities,” the minister stated.
Tensions flared previously in 2021 when Andhra Pradesh held panchayat elections in the disputed villages, prompting Odisha to file a contempt petition. The current notification for local body polls in villages including Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri has revived the controversy.
Odisha has reiterated that Kotia is an integral part of the state and is taking both legal and administrative steps, including monitoring the ground situation through the district administration, while prioritising peace and development works in the region.
