Bhubaneswar/Koraput, Oct 27 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh’s poll notification for three villages of Koraput district dominated the political discourse of Odisha on Tuesday as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi replied to opposition leader Naveen Patnaik’s letter on the matter, seeking “constructive suggestions” to resolve the long-standing dispute.
Majhi also criticised the BJD chief for approaching the issue from a “political standpoint”.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said the state government would do everything to discourage Andhra Pradesh from holding rural polls in Odisha territory and accused the erstwhile BJD dispensation of having ignored the people of the region.
However, BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo and former MP Pradeep Majhi alleged that the BJP government remained silent till Patnaik shot off a letter to the chief minister on October 19.
Another opposition party, the Congress, sent a delegation comprising its state unit chief Bhakta Charan Das, Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka, Congress Legislature Party leader Ram Chandra Kadam and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati to several villages of Kotia.
They demanded a special development package for the region under Article 371 of the Constitution.
The decades-old dispute involves both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh claiming their right over 21 of the 28 villages of Kotia Gram Panchayat on the borders of the two states. The matter has been pending before the Supreme Court, with a fresh suit filed by Odisha in January 2022 still under consideration.
The issue was rekindled after Andhra Pradesh issued a notification to hold rural polls in three villages of the disputed region on November 3. People of these villages enjoy dual voting status, granting them the unique privilege of exercising their franchise in both states.
On October 19, Patnaik wrote to Chief Minister Majhi, demanding to know whether the BJP’s “dependence” on NDA ally TDP was the reason for Odisha government’s “silence” on the panchayat poll notification.
Majhi responded on Tuesday, asserting that the Kotia group of villages has been an integral part of Odisha since the state’s formation in 1936.
“The state government remains firmly committed to safeguarding the territorial integrity and legitimate interests of Odisha,” he said, adding that Patnaik’s letter appeared to approach the sensitive issue from a “political standpoint” rather than offer constructive and legally tenable solutions.
“In view of the sensitivity of this long-standing inter-state matter, all concerned must act with restraint, responsibility and respect for the judicial process. I would appreciate receiving your constructive suggestions, if any, for resolution of this long-pending issue, for consideration of the government,” Majhi said.
He pointed out that the state government has prioritised the development of Kotia areas to promote inclusive growth, improve public services and enhance the well-being of residents.
The CM informed Patnaik that a committee comprising senior officials and headed by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari have been formed to oversee integrated development of the Kotia Gram Panchayat areas.
In a press conference, BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo and former MP Pradeep Majhi alleged that the BJP government remained silent till Patnaik wrote a letter to the chief minister.
“The Andhra Pradesh government issued a notification on October 10 for holding rural polls in Kotia’s three villages, and Patnaik wrote a letter to the CM on October 19. Then only, the state government realized the gravity of the situation.
“The chief minister then directed the advocate general to examine the status of the contempt of court case on October 21 and on October 23, the state filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court,” Pradeep Majhi said.
The BJD leaders claimed that Andhra Pradesh has set up a polling booth within Odisha territory. “They have created four gram panchayats in Kotia. A polling booth for one panchayat has been established at Neridivalasa, while polling booths for the other three panchayats have been set up outside Odisha,” the BJD leaders claimed.
“The BJD will continue to fight for Kotia. All BJD MPs, MLAs, former MPs, former MLAs, chairpersons and party functionaries will visit Kotia and launch an agitation. It will not allow the Andhra Pradesh government to set up a polling booth there,” a BJD leader said. PTI COR AAM NSD
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