Border Dispute: Andhra Pradesh Changes Name Of 3 Odisha Villages, Blows GP Poll Bugle

Koraput: The ongoing border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh seems to have reached new heights with the neighbouring state allegedly changing the name of three villages in Koraput district and conducting gram panchayat elections.

As per reports, Andhra government has changed names of Tala Ganjeipadar, Patu Sineri and Fagun Sineri in the disputed Kotia region. The village names have been changed to Ganjaibadra, Pattuchennuru and Pagulchennuru respectively.

After changing the names, the neighbouring state has started preparations for the three-tier gram panchayat elections in the region. In the notification issued for the polls, the three villages have been included into its Salur block. Some aspirants in fray have already filed nominations for the elections.

Andhra Pradesh government reportedly changes names of 3 villages in Kotia GP of Koraput district in #Odisha & begins preparations for panchayat elections in the region by issuing poll notification

— OTV (@otvnews) February 3, 2021

Former Sarpanch of Kotia, Kamesh Gemel said, "The Andhra administration is conducting the GP elections in three villages of Odisha. The elections will be held in two phases- February 13 and 17. The filing of nomination for the same was held today."

Speaking about the elections, M Nageswar Rao, returning officer of Kurukutti (Andhra Pradesh) said," The filing of nomination for the elections will be carried out from February 2 to 4. However, no one has filed nomination from Ganjaibadra so far."

While the border dispute involving Kotia is sub-judice in the Supreme Court, the Koraput district administration is reportedly unaware of the latest instance of unauthorised advances of the Andhra government.

"It is a very serious matter. If Andhra Pradesh conducts GP election and elects sarpanchs, zilla parishads and members here, nothing is more shameful than this," said Congress MLA from Jeypore, Tara Bahinipati.

Speaking on the issue, BJP leader Jayaram Pangi said, "Earlier, Andhra Pradesh used to nominate sarpanch, ward members and samiti members in these villages. However, from this year, they are formally conducting elections by setting booths, filing nomination and organising voting."

In the meantime, some development works carried out by Odisha government in Kotia area are scheduled to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on February 5. Prior to the inauguration, the Andhra Pradesh government seems to have challenged the Odisha government by claiming the three villages.

Patangi MLA Pritam Padi said, "Those areas, which Andhra Pradesh is claiming as their panchayats, do not have even sitting arrangements for sarpanch. On the other hand, projects worth Rs 150 crore became reality here because of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik."

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)