With the 2024 general elections approaching fast, Kotia gram panchayat in Koraput district, the apple of discord between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, has come alive with all sorts of political activities.
Kotia gram panchayat comes under the Pottangi Assembly constituency of Odisha. While the panchayat is inhabited by 7,728 people, of them 5,502 are eligible to cast their votes. Both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments have started flexing their muscles to conduct elections there.
The Andhra Pradesh government has earlier conducted elections there. This time too, the government is leaving no stone unturned to woo voters. With an aim to achieve 80 percent voting, the Parvathipuram district administration has reportedly been sending officials to create awareness in villages like Phatusinery, Haramandangi, Talasembi, and Uparasembi. The Superintendent of Police is also conducting public relations camps.
At the same time, the Odisha government is not lagging behind in its preparations. The Koraput district administration is making villagers aware of the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
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“We have taken it seriously and created awareness about the use of EVMs in hamlets and revenue villages,” said Benudhar Sabar, Sub Collector, Koraput.
While the Odisha government will set up nine polling booths in the panchayat, it is learned that Andhra Pradesh will set up a booth at Neredibalasa, which comes under the Salur Assembly constituency.
Now the question is which government will conduct voting first. After the announcement of election dates and if the voting is held in phases, there are equal chances of both Salur (Andhra Pradesh) and Pottangi (Odisha) going to polls ahead of the other.
In case it is Salur first, then the possibility of higher voter participation can’t be ruled out. According to Kotia sarpanch, the Odisha government should pull up its shocks and take measures to wean away voters from participating in Andhra Pradesh elections.
“In case the voting is held first in Andhra Pradesh, people will go to Neredibalasa to exercise their franchise because they are getting some benefits from there. To check it, our government should take steps,” said Liu Gemel, Kotia Sarpanch.
"It is illegal for a voter to cast votes twice. But one thing I am sure of is that they would participate in our voting,” said the Koraput Sub Collector.
To stop Andhra Pradesh from taking away voters, the BJP and Congress in Odisha have begun early preparations, while the ruling BJD is exploring options to take legal action against it.
“The Odisha government should take steps so that Andhra Pradesh can’t persuade the voters,” said Congress leader Ramchandra Kadam.
Echoing the same, BJP leader Nadibali Chaitanya said, “The district administration should have been more active in providing training and creating awareness among the voters.”
When asked, BJD’s state secretary, Ishwar Chandra Panigrahi said, “If Andhra Pradesh government infiltrates and tries to create disturbance, legal action would be taken.”