Kotia politics intensifies as BJD terms Dharmendra Pradhan’s ‘Go Back Andhra’ slogan ‘useless’

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) stoked the Kotia issue further on Thursday by ridiculing Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan’s ‘Go Back Andhra’ slogan ‘useless’.

Speaking to reporters, Odisha Revenue Minister, Pramila Mallik said, “Raising ‘Go Back Andhra’ slogan won’t really put the Andhra government on the back foot. Otherwise, a case would not have been subjudice in the Supreme Court for so many years.”

“I would like to appeal the Central government to settle the Kotia issue by mediating between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Only blaming the Odisha government won’t serve the purpose,” she said.

To this, the Union Education Minister and BJP leader, Dharmendra Pradhan replied, “If somebody stands at the border and claims a part of Odisha as theirs, I will say ‘Go Back’ again and again.”

have no issues if the BJD tries to take political mileage from Kotia, but they need to resolve the issue first. I have written to the Chief Minister many times in the past. They should act on it swiftly,” Pradhan said.

Pradhan, during his visit to the controversial Kotia village cluster in Koraput on the occasion of Utkal Dibasa, directed Andhra Pradesh officials present on the spot to ‘go back’ asserting that Kotia belongs to Odisha only.