Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday filed a fresh suit in the Supreme Court against the Andhra Pradesh government’s attempt to conduct elections for the post of Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad members at the disputed Kotia region in Koraput district.
According to a notification issued by the Andhra government, the neighboring state will conduct the polls on April 8 in a single phase.
Andhra Pradesh had earlier held election for sarpanch in Kotia region on February 14 despite request by the Odisha government to refrain from the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Opposition parties slammed the State government for its failure to stop the elections in the disputed area.
Senior BJP leader and Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari met Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal and requested him to urge Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to undertake developmental activities in the bordering areas.
“I have requested the Governor to advise the Chief Minister for ensuring basic amenities to the people in the bordering areas,” said Pujari.
Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati also hit out at Andhra Pradesh for not respecting the spirit of co-operative federal structure of the nation and maintaining status quo in the border areas.
“It’s a very sensitive issue and the people of Odisha want urgent intervention of the Chief Minister in this matter,” said Bahinipati.
BJD Leader and State minister Susant Singh said that the sovereignty and integrity of the State will not be compromised at any cost.
“Odisha government will not allow Andhra Pradesh to take away an inch of land from our territory. Our sovereignty and integrity will not be compromised at any cost,” said Singh.