Naveen Writes Second Letter to Majhi, Seeks Urgent Intervention Over Kotia Polls

Bhubaneswar, Nov 4: Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday wrote a second letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging urgent intervention over the escalating Kotia border dispute ahead of Andhra Pradesh’s local body elections scheduled for November 5.

In his letter (No. 353/LOP), Patnaik referred to his earlier communication of October 19 and the Chief Minister’s reply of October 27, expressing concern over the deteriorating situation and growing confrontation between officials of the two states.

He particularly objected to Andhra Pradesh proceeding with elections in the disputed Kotia villages, warning that the move could undermine Odisha’s territorial claims. He urged Majhi to take up the matter with the Union Government and the Andhra Pradesh government at the highest level.

Pointing out that both states are governed by NDA partners, Patnaik said the Odisha Chief Minister had a moral responsibility to safeguard the state’s territorial integrity, as promised in the BJP’s 2024 election manifesto.

The BJD president also urged the BJP leadership to honour its commitment to the people of Odisha and ensure that the situation does not escalate further.

The latest letter comes amid heightened tension in Kotia, where reports of confrontations and barricades along the inter-state border emerged on November 3. The Koraput administration has also imposed prohibitory orders in the 21 disputed villages.

The decades-old dispute has resurfaced following Andhra Pradesh’s notification for MPTC and ZPTC elections covering parts of the contested area. Odisha has challenged the move through a contempt petition in the Supreme Court, where a status quo order has been in force since 2006.

The fresh communication has intensified pressure on the Odisha government to protect its territorial claims and resolve the dispute through legal and diplomatic channels.