Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressing serious concern over the escalating situation in the disputed Kotia region and the decision of Andhra Pradesh to hold elections there.
In his letter, Patnaik referred to his earlier communication and the Chief Minister’s reply in this regard. He stated that the ground situation has further deteriorated, with reports of growing tension and confrontation between officials of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Patnaik particularly flagged Andhra Pradesh’s move to conduct elections in Kotia the next day, saying it has implications for Odisha. He urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Union Government and the Government of Andhra Pradesh at the highest level.
Highlighting that both states are currently governed by NDA partners led by the BJP, Patnaik said urgent steps must be taken to protect Odisha’s territorial integrity, which he noted was promised in the BJP’s 2024 election manifesto.
“As the Chief Minister of Odisha, it is your moral responsibility to ensure that the State’s legitimate interests are firmly protected and the situation on the ground is not allowed to escalate any further,” the letter said.
Patnaik expressed hope that the BJP leadership would honour its commitment to the people of Odisha and “walk the talk” on the Kotia issue as guaranteed in the party’s 2024 manifesto.
The Kotia group of villages has long been a point of dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
