Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Monday wrote to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing concern over Andhra Pradesh’s reported move to hold elections in Kotia and urging the state government to take decisive steps to safeguard Odisha’s territorial integrity.
In a letter addressed to Majhi, Patnaik questioned the BJP government’s response to the latest development, recalling the party’s pre-election promises to resolve the long-standing Kotia dispute and protect Odisha’s territorial interests.
Patnaik said that during his tenure as chief minister, his government had fought to protect the state’s territorial integrity. He also recalled that BJP leaders had previously asserted that Kotia belonged to Odisha and raised the slogan “Go Back Andhra”.
He pointed out that the BJP, in its manifesto ahead of the 2024 elections, had promised that the “Double Engine” government would resolve the Kotia issue, safeguard Odisha’s territorial integrity and restore Odia pride.
“What happened to these promises?” Patnaik asked in the letter.
Expressing concern over Andhra Pradesh’s reported election move despite the BJP being in power in both Odisha and at the Centre, the opposition leader sought clarification on the state government’s response to the development.
Patnaik also questioned whether the BJP government’s political dependence on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was affecting its response to the Kotia dispute.
He sought details of the recommendations made by the 16-member high-level Kotia Committee constituted in 2025 and asked what steps had been taken to implement them.
The BJD leader said the people of Odisha deserved clear answers and accountability regarding the commitments made by the BJP during the elections.
He asked whether the state government would firmly protect Odisha’s territorial integrity and constitutional rights or yield to political pressure from the Centre.
Patnaik also questioned whether the “Go Back Andhra” slogan had been merely an election promise, urging the state government to take all necessary measures to safeguard Odisha’s interests and its claim over Kotia.
The Kotia region, located along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, has been at the centre of a long-standing territorial dispute between the two states.
