Odisha Objects to Andhra Pradesh Election Notification in Disputed Kotia Villages
The long-standing territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has returned to the political spotlight after Andhra Pradesh issued a notification covering three disputed villages in the Kotia region for local body elections. The development has prompted objections from political leaders in Odisha and renewed calls for the state government to protect its territorial claims.
The villages at the centre of the latest controversy are Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri. Odisha maintains that these settlements are part of Kotia Gram Panchayat in Pottangi block of Koraput district. Andhra Pradesh, however, includes them under separate panchayats in Salur block of Parvathipuram Manyam district.
The disagreement is part of a wider territorial dispute involving the Kotia group of villages along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border. Both states have asserted administrative claims over several settlements in the area for decades.
The latest election notification has raised concerns in Odisha about the neighbouring state's administrative presence in the disputed region. It has also led to a political debate over the steps taken by the Odisha government to protect its claim.
Three Villages at the Centre of the Dispute
The latest controversy concerns Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri, which Odisha identifies as part of Kotia Gram Panchayat in Koraput district.
Andhra Pradesh has included these villages under its local administrative arrangements in Salur block, which falls within Parvathipuram Manyam district. The two states use different administrative classifications for the disputed settlements, reflecting the unresolved nature of the boundary disagreement.
The Andhra Pradesh election notification has brought the issue back into focus because local body elections can strengthen the administrative presence of a state in a disputed area. Odisha leaders have argued that the state must respond through appropriate legal and administrative measures.
According to reports, Andhra Pradesh has announced a wider rural local body election schedule, with polling planned in phases on November 26, November 29 and December 2. Elections to certain territorial constituency seats have also been scheduled separately. However, the specific polling dates for the disputed Kotia villages have not been clearly established in the reports cited here.
The latest development has therefore renewed questions about how both states will manage the election process in the disputed settlements while avoiding further confrontation.
Naveen Patnaik Questions Odisha Government's Response
Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik has criticised the response of the state's BJP-led government to Andhra Pradesh's election notification.
In a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik questioned why the state government had not prevented the neighbouring state from issuing the notification covering the disputed villages. He also raised concerns about whether the BJP's political relationship with the Telugu Desam Party, which governs Andhra Pradesh, could be influencing the Odisha government's approach.
Patnaik argued that the Kotia region is an important part of Odisha's territorial identity and questioned whether the state government was doing enough to protect its interests. He also referred to earlier BJP commitments to resolve the dispute and asked what action had been taken to implement those promises.
His remarks have added a political dimension to the border issue, with the opposition demanding a stronger response from the state government.
The criticism reflects the Biju Janata Dal's position on the issue. The territorial dispute itself, however, remains a matter requiring legal and administrative resolution between the two states.
Dharmendra Pradhan Calls for Negotiations
Former Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasised the need to resolve the dispute through dialogue and negotiations. He has called for both states to create a cordial atmosphere and work towards a mutually acceptable solution.
Pradhan acknowledged the importance of Kotia to Odisha and its people but stressed that a peaceful approach was necessary to address the disagreement. His comments came amid the political exchanges between the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal following the latest election notification.
The call for negotiations highlights the difficulty of resolving a long-running interstate boundary dispute through political statements alone. Any lasting solution would require careful consideration of historical records, administrative arrangements, legal proceedings and the interests of residents living in the affected villages.
Odisha's government has also indicated that it is preparing to strengthen its legal position. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has said that the state is reviewing the legal steps available to protect its interests and has called for coordinated action involving government departments, legal experts and district officials.
A Dispute That Has Continued for Decades
The Kotia dispute is not a new development. The region comprises a group of villages in the Eastern Ghats along the boundary between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The two states have maintained competing claims over several settlements, with disagreements recurring during elections and administrative exercises.
Odisha maintains that the villages belong to Koraput district. Andhra Pradesh has also extended administrative services to residents in parts of the region and has identified some settlements using different names.
The issue has previously led to legal proceedings and political disputes. Odisha filed a case in the Supreme Court in 2006 concerning the interstate boundary dispute. Subsequent review and curative petitions were also dismissed. The state filed a fresh suit in 2022, which remains under consideration, according to recent reports.
The continuing dispute has created challenges for local administration, particularly where both states seek to provide services or conduct official activities. It has also raised concerns about the consistency of administrative arrangements and the rights of residents living in the affected villages.
Importance of the Supreme Court Proceedings
The legal status of the Kotia dispute is an important factor in the current controversy. Odisha's fresh case before the Supreme Court remains pending, making the court's eventual consideration of the matter significant for the two states.
The latest election notification has prompted Odisha leaders to seek stronger legal and administrative action. The state government has said it is considering appropriate steps to protect its interests and strengthen its position using historical documents, census information and administrative records.
Legal experts and officials are expected to play an important role in assessing the available records and advising the state on further action. At the same time, maintaining peace in the border region remains important to avoid tension among residents and local officials.
The outcome of the legal proceedings may influence future efforts to address the territorial disagreement. Until a resolution is reached, the competing claims are likely to remain a sensitive issue in relations between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Impact on Residents and Local Administration
The dispute affects not only the two state governments but also residents who live in the border villages. When two states claim administrative authority over the same settlements, questions can arise over local governance, public services, election arrangements and the implementation of government schemes.
Residents need clear and consistent administrative arrangements for matters such as local representation, welfare services and access to public facilities. Political competition between the states can complicate these issues if the dispute remains unresolved.
A peaceful and legally supported resolution would help provide greater clarity for residents and reduce the risk of recurring political confrontation. Both governments would need to consider local needs alongside their respective territorial claims.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is on the steps Odisha will take in response to Andhra Pradesh's election notification and how both states will handle local body election arrangements in the disputed villages.
Odisha's government has indicated that it is reviewing legal options and strengthening coordination among the departments concerned. Opposition leaders have called for a firmer response, while Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasised negotiations as a way forward.
The specific election schedule for the disputed villages should be confirmed through official notifications before publication. Any subsequent legal action or administrative decision may influence the next stage of the dispute.
The Kotia issue remains a sensitive interstate matter involving territorial claims, local administration and political accountability. A durable resolution will depend on legal clarity, dialogue between the states and measures that safeguard the interests of the people living in the region.
Conclusion
The election notification covering Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri has brought the long-standing Kotia border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh back into focus. Odisha claims the villages belong to Pottangi block in Koraput district, while Andhra Pradesh includes them under Salur block in Parvathipuram Manyam district.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has questioned the Odisha government's response, while former Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan has called for negotiations. The Odisha government has also indicated that it is considering legal and administrative steps to protect its position.
With the dispute still before the Supreme Court, the next developments will depend on legal proceedings, official decisions and efforts by both states to avoid confrontation while addressing the needs of local residents.
