Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has written a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing “grave concern” over Andhra Pradesh’s decision to announce panchayat elections in villages of the disputed Kotia region, which Odisha considers an integral part of Koraput district.
In the letter, Patnaik highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s notification covering villages including Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar, and Phatusineri. He reminded the government that during his own tenure as Chief Minister, the state actively defended Odisha’s territorial integrity. He pointed out that BJP leaders had previously asserted Kotia belongs to Odisha and popularised the slogan “Go Back Andhra.”
The former Chief Minister specifically recalled the BJP’s 2024 election manifesto promise that a “Double Engine Government” would resolve the Kotia issue “once and for all,” safeguard Odisha’s territorial integrity, and restore “Odia Swabhiman.” “What happened to these promises?” he asked, noting that Andhra Pradesh has proceeded with election announcements despite the BJP being in power both in Odisha and at the Centre.
Patnaik raised a pointed political question: since the Telugu Desam Party, which rules Andhra Pradesh, is a crucial ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre (needed to maintain its majority), is political dependence the reason for the Odisha government’s silence? He also demanded to know the recommendations of the high-level 16-member Kotia Committee constituted in 2025 and the actions taken to implement them.
The letter concluded by stating that the people of Odisha deserve clear answers and accountability, and urged the state government to act decisively to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty over Kotia. It further questioned whether the “Go Back Andhra” slogan was merely an election gimmick.
The decades-old Kotia dispute involves 28 villages in Kotia gram panchayat under Pottangi block. Odisha claims all of them, while Andhra Pradesh claims 21 and has been extending administrative services. The matter has been before the Supreme Court since 1968, which directed both states to maintain status quo. Andhra Pradesh has scheduled rural local body elections in three phases (November 26, 29, and December 2), bringing the border issue back into focus. Earlier, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari had asserted that the government was prepared to counter any attempts by Andhra Pradesh in the region.
The letter has intensified political pressure on the BJP government, with opposition parties questioning the effectiveness of the “double engine” arrangement on a sensitive border issue.
