The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is stepping up its efforts to protect Odisha’s territorial integrity in the face of ongoing border tensions with neighboring Andhra Pradesh.
Approved by BJD President Naveen Patnaik, a high-level party delegation will visit the disputed Kotia Panchayat tomorrow {Oct 23}, to protest reported election-related activities being carried out by the Andhra Pradesh government.
The long-standing Kotia border dispute recently flared up again following Andhra Pradesh’s move to push forward with local body elections in the area. In response, LoP Naveen Patnaik has written to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging immediate intervention.
Viewing the matter as a severe threat to Odisha’s administrative authority, the BJD delegation aims to evaluate the ground reality and listen directly to the concerns of the residents in the affected villages.
During the buildup to this visit, Patnaik sharply criticized the current BJP government, recalling their 2024 election manifesto. He questioned the ruling party on its unfulfilled promises, noting that the BJP had assured voters that a “Double Engine Government” would permanently resolve the Kotia issue, safeguard the state’s borders, and restore Odia Swabhiman (Odia pride).
The visiting delegation will interact extensively with the local population to gather first-hand information regarding the administrative and political incursions. Following their assessment, the leaders will compile a detailed report to submit to the party supremo, which will guide BJD’s future course of action.
The BJD maintains that the state government must take proactive and decisive steps to protect the interests of the people of Kotia.
The delegation comprises prominent BJD leaders, including:
- Jhina Hikaka, Ex-MP
- Pradeep Majhi, Ex-MP and Working President, BJD Tribal Cell
- Jagannath Saraka, Ex-Minister and Vice-President, BJD Tribal Cell
- Rabi Narayan Nanda, Ex-Minister
- Ramesh Majhi, Ex-Minister and Advisor, BJD Tribal Cell
- Bhrugu Baxipatra, Senior General Secretary and National Spokesperson, BJD
- Manohar Randhari, MLA and Vice-President, BJD Tribal Cell
- Tumbanath Panda, Spokesperson, BJD
- Other key members include Ex-MLAs Manas Madkami, Raghuram Padal, Prafulla Pangi, Pritam Padhi, and Prabhu Jani, alongside Kaushalya Hikaka, Koraput Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sasmita Melaka, and Koraput Municipality Chairman Lalat Ranjan Sethy.
