Odisha’s ruling BJP and opposition parties have joined forces to block Andhra Pradesh’s rural polls in Kotia. The united stand escalates a decades-old border dispute now before the Supreme Court.
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Koraput, Oct 30, 2026 13:38 IST
Odisha’s ruling BJP and all opposition parties have decided to jointly oppose the Andhra Pradesh government’s move to conduct rural elections in the disputed Kotia region, political leaders told news agency Press Trust of India on Friday.
The territorial dispute over the Kotia villages, located in the Eastern Ghats along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, has continued for decades and often comes to the fore during elections. Both states claim territorial rights over the villages, and the matter is before the Supreme Court.
Residents of the disputed villages have dual voting status and can exercise their franchise in both states. Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to hold elections there on November 5.
The Koraput district administration, under whose jurisdiction the disputed villages fall, has warned of strict legal action, including arrests, against those who violate prohibitory orders or influence residents to participate in the polls.
The decision to jointly oppose Andhra Pradesh’s move was taken at an all-party meeting on Thursday. The meeting, chaired by Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, was attended by leaders of all major parties. They unanimously agreed to protect Odisha’s territorial interests.
Jeypore Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said there would be “no compromise” over Kotia’s territorial status. “Not an inch of Kotia will be surrendered to Andhra Pradesh. Kotia is an integral part of Odisha, and we are one when it comes to protecting the region. Those who are choosing to vote in Andhra Pradesh’s elections on November 5 should also gi
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