Kotia border dispute escalates as Andhra Pradesh announces local elections

Political tension has escalated in India regarding the disputed Kotia region as the Andhra Pradesh government announced panchayat elections for the area. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik described the announcement as an ‘extremely alarming’ development, asserting that Kotia is an ‘inseparable part of Odisha.’

Patnaik criticized the BJP-led Odisha government for its silence on the matter, questioning why the administration has not taken steps to protect the state’s geographical integrity. He noted that the BJP had previously promised a permanent solution to the Kotia issue in its 2024 election manifesto. Patnaik also raised concerns regarding the political relationship between the BJP and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which governs Andhra Pradesh.

Similarly, Congress leader Aravinda Das accused the Odisha government of failing to respond with necessary urgency. Das alleged that officials from the newly formed Parvathipuram Manyam district in Andhra Pradesh have entered the area to initiate poll preparations, which he characterized as an attempt to encroach on Odisha’s territory.