Odisha moves the Supreme Court over Andhra Pradesh’s elections in disputed Kotia, as officials raise concerns over jurisdiction and status quo
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha government has approached the Supreme Court challenging Andhra Pradesh’s decision to conduct elections in the disputed Kotia panchayat of Koraput district, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Friday.
The Koraput Collector has also filed a contempt petition against Andhra Pradesh’s State Election Commissioner, the concerned district collector and other officials involved in the electoral process, alleging a violation of the status quo ordered by the Supreme Court.
The state government has convened an all-party meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue and decide its future course of action. Pujari said the government would consult all political parties before taking further steps to safeguard Odisha’s interests in the disputed territory.
“We will move forward by taking everyone along on the Kotia issue,” he said.
The controversy has intensified after three candidates filed nominations for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) seats under Andhra Pradesh’s election process. The nomination process ended on Friday, with scrutiny scheduled for Saturday and polling set for November 3.
Koraput Sub-Collector Fabi Rasheed said the administration had received reports of three nominations and was taking the necessary steps to protect the state’s interests.
She said Andhra Pradesh had not established any polling booth within Odisha’s boundaries in the disputed villages. Instead, a booth had been set up at Thanam, bordering Neradivalasa, the last village of Kotia panchayat.
During a recent visit to the area, Rasheed interacted with residents to assess the welfare facilities and benefits provided by the Odisha government. Villagers told her they had yet to decide whether to participate in the elections, she said, adding that the administration was closely monitoring the situation.
Around 2,700 residents of the 21 disputed villages are enrolled in Andhra Pradesh’s electoral rolls and are eligible to vote in the upcoming MPTC elections.
A 16-member Biju Janata Dal delegation from Koraput also visited Kotia on Friday and staged a protest against Andhra Pradesh’s electoral exercise.
Andhra Pradesh has additionally announced a three-phase election schedule for sarpanch and ward-member posts on November 26, 29 and December 2, covering Kotia and other areas under Parvathipuram Manyam district, according to Pottangi Tahasildar Debandra Dharua.
Of the 28 villages under Kotia panchayat in Pottangi block, Andhra Pradesh claims jurisdiction over 21, while Odisha maintains that all 28 villages fall within its territory.
The dispute has a long legal history. Odisha filed a suit in the Supreme Court in 1968, after which the court directed both states to maintain the status quo. The latest electoral developments have renewed tensions over jurisdiction and administration in the border region.
