Bhubaneswar: Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government had attempted to influence voters in the disputed Kotia region by allegedly enticing and taking some residents into custody ahead of its panchayat elections.
Speaking on the issue, Pujari said a small number of people from certain villages in Kotia had crossed over to Andhra Pradesh to exercise their franchise in the neighbouring state’s panchayat elections.
He alleged that some villagers had been taken away and kept in custody in advance, while others were allegedly lured to vote. Some reportedly used forest routes to evade police surveillance and cast their votes, he said.
However, the Minister maintained that the number of people who participated in the elections was very small.
Pujari further claimed that the villagers faced objections from other residents upon returning home, with those who had stayed back reprimanding them for voting in Andhra Pradesh.
Describing the neighbouring state’s alleged move as unsuccessful, the Minister asserted that the Odisha government remained vigilant and committed to protecting the state’s territorial rights, identity and self-respect in Kotia.
