Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 (PTI) Nearly 300 people from the disputed Kotia region of Odisha’s Koraput district cast their votes at a polling booth in Andhra Pradesh as rural polls were held in the neighbouring state on Thursday.
A day ago, Odisha Police sealed a polling booth set up by the Andhra Pradesh administration in Neradivalsa village along the inter-state border. The residents managed to reach Sariki village in AP, where the booth was shifted, and exercise their franchise.
While the Koraput district administration tightened security at the entry points and major roads, some of the people crossed a river and hills. Others had taken shelter in Andhra Pradesh for two days to participate in the voting,
“Yes, some of the residents from Kotia gram panchayat were lured by Andhra agents and taken to cast votes using jungle routes. Even some people were provided shelter prior to the polling date. Their number is negligible,” Odisha’s Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari told reporters in Bhubaneswar.
The administration this time ensured that the neighbouring state could not open its polling booths on Kotia soil.
The minister claimed that the original inhabitants of the Kotia cluster of villages have rejected the AP offer and voluntarily remained with the Odisha government and boycotted voting.
“We will certainly verify the people who cast their votes in AP and how they could retain two voter identity cards. One citizen in the country is entitled to have only one voter card and not multiple ones,” Pujari said.
There are about 2800 voters in Kotia Gram Panchayat, officials said.
Congress legislators Tara Prasad Bahinipati and Ram Chandra Kadam and BJD leader Bhrugu Baxipatra confronted some voters upon their return to Neradivalsa after casting their ballots, asking them why they participated in the elections despite the dispute.
“If you participated in the Andhra vote, then leave Kotia and settle there. There is no restriction on the people, but one cannot stay here and vote there; it is not acceptable,” said Bahinipati.
Both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh claim their right over 21 of the 28 villages of Kotia Gram Panchayat on the borders of the two states. The disagreement dates back to the 1930s. The matter has been pending before the Supreme Court since 1968.
Residents of the area hold two voter identity cards and take benefits of welfare schemes from both governments.
Meanwhile, the residents of Jhumadang village under Dhuliput Panchayat of Odisha’s Malkangiri district, over which the AP government also claims its rights, rejected the vote and attended a special service hearing camp in the border village.
“A hearing camp was held at the village on the instructions of Malkangiri District Collector Prathamesh Arvind Rajshirke, to discourage people from casting their vote in AP. We have succeeded in foiling AP’s plan,” an official said.
In the camp, the Odisha government assured people that it would take care of them, and there is no need to take part in the neighbouring state’s elections.
“We demand Rs 3,000 as old age pension and Rs 7,500 scholarship for students, free electricity and ration as provided by AP government,” said a villager and cautioned that they may change their mind if the administration neglects them.
The opposition BJD accused the state’s BJP government of failing to stop the Kotia people from going to Andhra Pradesh and voting.
“The Odisha government has failed to make the Centre intervene in the matter. The Kotia dispute can only be solved through the intervention of the Centre, but the Centre fears loss of the TDP’s support,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said in a press conference.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is now ruling Andhra Pradesh, is an ally of the BJP. PTI COR AAM NSD AAM NN
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