Bhubaneswar: Lashing out at the Odisha government for taking lackadaisical approach over the Panchayat election being conducted by Andhra Pradesh in Kotia region of Koraput district, the State BJP on Saturday questioned State Government's intent on safeguarding the border.
Addressing reporters at a presser, BJP state president Samir Mohanty, who led a party delegation and reviewed the situation, said that border villages not only in Kotia bust also in many other districts like Ganjam, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Gajapati are completely unsafe.
"Why the State government moved the Supreme Court only on Kotia issue? Why did it file the petition so late? Why the government had kept the State in dark? Is it a failure of State's intelligence system?" Mohanty asked.
People residing in border areas are have developed weakness towards Andhra Pradesh despite having an emotional bond with Odisha. It is only because of Odisha Government's lack of will for their development, Mohanty alleged.
"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik says that the entire Odisha is his family. He also launched 'Odisha Mo Paribar' initiative. Are not they (people of border area) members of his family or Odisha Mo Paribar'? Mohanty asked.
Odisha has moved the apex court against Andhra Pradesh’s decision to hold panchayat elections in Kotia villages. But, it is a matter of concern that the neighbouring State is holding election not only in Kotia but also many other border regions today.
"We had taken the matter to the notice of respective district administrations, but the officials concerned had ignored our pleas saying that no elections are being conducted by Andhra in border areas. But, today our apprehensions have come out to be true and Andhra is holding polls in these villages," Mohanty said.
"During our four-day tour to the border regions, we requested the people to refrain from participating in the elections. Many have agreed to do so," Mohanty said demanding an all party meeting to resolve the border issues.
He also announced that his party will soon constitute a 'Seema Surakhya Cell' which would work for the development of the people in border regions and safeguarding the limits.