Odisha challenges Andhra Pradesh in Supreme Court over Kotia elections

The Odisha government has filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court against Andhra Pradesh regarding its notification to conduct Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in the disputed Kotia region. Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that the petition follows a 2006 Supreme Court order requiring both states to maintain the status quo in the area.

While all 28 villages under the Kotia Gram Panchayat are within Odisha territory, Andhra Pradesh claims rights over 21 of these villages. The current legal challenge names the Andhra Pradesh state election commissioner, chief secretary, and district collector as parties to the matter. This follows a similar dispute in 2021 that led to contempt proceedings in 2022.

Simultaneously, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party staged protests in Kotia to oppose the election process. A BJD delegation visited the Koraput district to interact with residents and assess the situation. The party reaffirmed its stance that Kotia is an inseparable part of Odisha and accused the current BJP-led state government of failing to ensure the region's development compared to previous administrations.