While Kotia gram panchayat under Pottangi block in Odisha's Koraput district is still an apple of discord, Andhra Pradesh is allegedly continuously infiltrating the disputed region and taking several measures to influence the local residents.
With the 2024 General Election around the corner, Andhra Pradesh officials are now trying to provide electricity service in Kotia to woo the voters to participate in the Andhra election process. In the process, the Andhra Electricity Department has provided digital meters to the residents of Tala Ganjeipadar village.
Earlier, Andhra set up the infrastructure in the region to provide power service. They have also provided digital meters to as many as 39 beneficiaries by filling up forms. However, after receiving the information about the development, the local block administration intervened and warned the officials of the neighbouring state to go back. Subsequently, the officials of the neighbouring state retreated.
On the other hand, Odisha has provided digital meters only to a few families of the village and the local administration has not taken any kind of serious steps yet to provide electricity in the area. However, Andhra has already set up its infrastructure to provide electricity in the region much earlier.
Commenting on the development, a villager said, “As the 2024 General Election is around the corner, Andhra officials have taken the initiative in a bid to woo the voters and influence the people of the region.”
Upcoming General Elections in both Koraput and Andhra Pradesh will be conducted on May 13. Hence Andhra has reportedly become desperate to conduct its election in the disputed Kotia region.
However, no reaction from Koraput district administration could be obtained in this regard.