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Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over holding of panchayat polls by Andhra Pradesh in disputed region of Kotia in Koraput and other bordering villages, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday urged the Odisha Chief Minister to take timely action.
"Andhra Pradesh's effort to involve Odisha people in its panchayat polls by crossing the geographical border in Koraput, Ganjam and Gajapati is matter of great concern. The border dispute with Andhra and other neighbouring States has developed a bitter relationship. The situation may get worse if Chief Minister doesn't take timely step," Pradhan tweeted.
In a series of tweets, Pradhan called upon leaders of all political parties in Odisha, social organisations and activists to work collectively for safeguarding the border with all round development of the people residing in the regions.
"It is our responsibility to safeguard geographical border of our State and connect the brother and sisters residing in the bordering areas with us," Pradhan said.
The State government which has taken a legal route over the issue is expected to take the battle to a decisive point, Pradhan stated. Besides, local administration should work to strengthen the government welfare scheme in the border region for all round development of the people, he added.
Pradhan's concern comes a day after the Andhra Pradesh government held panchayat elections in Kotia gram panchayat of Odisha despite a warning issued by the Koraput Collector to his Vizianagaram counterpart.
The neighbouring State also deployed police and revenue department officials in Kotia gram panchayat as villagers stepped out to cast their votes early in the morning. It also engaged some vehicle to transport voters to the polling booths.
Andhra conducted polls to local bodies in three villages — Talaganjeipadar, Patusineri and Phagunseneri in Kotia gram panchayat. The neighbouring State designated these villages as special panchayat by changing their names to Ganjeibadara, Pattuchennuru and Pagluchennuru.
Meanwhile, politics gained momentum in the State over the border dispute.
"Andhra conducted polls in the Kotia due to Odisha government's inefficiency. The State government's intelligence has failed completely. The BJD government should come up with a permanent solution to the dispute after a thorough discussion with PRI members, all party leaders and locals," said Bhrugu Baxipatra, BJP’s State vice president.
Condemning Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's tweets on the issue, Sashi Bhusan Behera, BJD MLA said, "Despite being an Odia, these kinds of tweets by the Union Minister is really unfortunate. Kotia is an inseparable part of Odisha."
"Kotia belongs to Odisha. The present scenario in the region is all because of the State government's apathy," alleged former OPCC president Prasad Harichandan.
Odisha has been claiming that the disputed villages are part of Pottangi block of Koraput district.
Notably, Odisha had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Andhra’s decision to hold polls in disputed areas. Hearing the petition, the Court asked Andhra Pradesh to file its response within a week, but refused to order a stay on the ongoing elections.
