Kotia (Koraput): The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday staged a protest in Kotia against Andhra Pradesh’s move to hold panchayat elections in the disputed border area, with the last day for filing nominations scheduled for the day.
A 16-member BJD delegation from Koraput visited Kotia to assess the situation on the ground, interact with local residents and oppose the election process being undertaken by Andhra Pradesh.
The delegation will submit a report to party supremo Naveen Patnaik following its visit, party sources said.
The BJD alleged that several initiatives were undertaken during the previous Naveen Patnaik-led government to promote the development of Kotia and provide facilities and opportunities to its residents. However, the party accused the present BJP-led government in Odisha of failing to make adequate efforts for the area’s development.
Reiterating its stand that Kotia is an inseparable part of Odisha, the regional party said it would oppose Andhra Pradesh’s election process in the area and would not allow the polls to be held there.
According to the BJD, residents of Kotia remain in favour of Odisha and are unwilling to participate in the panchayat elections being conducted by Andhra Pradesh.
The visit comes amid renewed political activity over the jurisdictional dispute concerning Kotia, a group of border villages in Koraput district claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
