Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt has vowed to prevent Andhra Pradesh from holding panchayat elections in the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district, asserting that the area is an integral part of the state. The two states have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1960s over 21 of the 28 villages in Kotia gram panchayat along their shared border.While AP govt conducted panchayat elections in Kotia in Feb 2021, it recently issued a notification to hold elections next month. “Kotia is an integral part of Odisha. We have prepared a roadmap and will ensure that Kotia is not included in the upcoming panchayat elections of Andhra Pradesh. Necessary directions have been issued to the Koraput district administration to remain vigilant and prevent Andhra Pradesh from holding elections in the region,” revenue minister Suresh Pujari said.Pujari held a meeting on Tuesday with Odisha advocate general Pitambar Acharya, senior officials of the revenue and home departments, the revenue divisional commissioner (southern division) and Koraput administration to discuss the issue.The minister said Odisha’s attempts to dissuade Andhra Pradesh from holding elections in Kotia failed to yield results, prompting the state govt to explore fresh legal options. “Andhra Pradesh govt is not budging. We are exploring legal options,” Pujari said.He said Supreme Court directed both states to maintain status quo in the disputed region. “With the status quo in force, it would not be desirable for the Andhra Pradesh government to conduct any type of election in Kotia. Our officials have been asked to remain watchful of the activities of Andhra Pradesh authorities,” he said.Located along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, Kotia has been at the centre of a long-standing territorial dispute. Odisha maintains that all 28 villages fall within Koraput district, while Andhra Pradesh claims 21 of them and provides administrative services to residents in those villages.Odisha moved Supreme Court in 1968 over the dispute, following which the court directed both states to maintain status quo. In 2006, the apex court disposed of the petition, observing that the inter-state boundary dispute was best resolved by Parliament under Article 131 of the Constitution.
