The Odisha government has filed a contempt petition against Andhra Pradesh for conducting panchayat elections in disputed Kotia villages, which have been the subject of a longstanding territorial dispute dating back to 1968.
The ongoing territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over 21 villages in Kotia district along their shared border has led to legal action. This dispute dates back to 1968, when Odisha initiated legal proceedings against Andhra Pradesh's claim to these villages in the Supreme Court. The court ordered both parties to maintain the status quo in 2006. However, tensions resurfaced in 2021 when Andhra Pradesh conducted panchayat elections in Kotia. In response, Odisha filed a contempt petition in 2022. On October 10, Andhra Pradesh issued a notification for zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections in three disputed villages – Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar, and Phatusineri. This action by Andhra Pradesh is said to violate the Supreme Court order, according to Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari. The petition in the Supreme Court was filed by the Koraput collector against Andhra Pradesh’s election commissioner, the collector concerned, and other officials involved in the polling process. The minister also requested the Supreme Court to prevent such illegal activities by the Andhra Pradesh government in the future.
It is worth noting that Andhra Pradesh is currently ruled by a Telugu Desam Party-led alliance, which includes the BJP. Naveen Patnaik, the leader of Opposition in Odisha, has alleged that the state government's approach to the Kotia dispute may be influenced by the NDA’s dependence on the TDP at the Centre.
Source:
Scroll.in
