Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is set to step up its engagement over the long-standing Odisha-Andhra Pradesh boundary dispute, with a party delegation scheduled to visit Kotia Panchayat in Koraput district on Friday to assess the ground situation and oppose election-related activities reportedly being carried out by Andhra Pradesh in the region.
The visit has been approved by BJD president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, signalling the party’s focus on developments in the strategically sensitive border area.
During the visit, the delegation will meet local residents, gather information about recent developments and understand the concerns of people living in the disputed territory. The team is expected to document its findings and submit a detailed report to Naveen Patnaik after returning from the field.
Senior BJD Leaders to Join Delegation
The delegation will include several senior party leaders, among them former MP Jhina Hikaka, Manohar Randhari, Jagannath Saraka, Ravi Narayan Nanda, Pradeep Majhi and Ramesh Majhi, along with other party representatives.
Their visit is intended to provide the party leadership with a clearer understanding of the prevailing situation and the impact of developments in the border region on local residents.
The report to be submitted to Patnaik is expected to outline the team’s observations and concerns raised by people during interactions in the panchayat.
Kotia Dispute Remains a Sensitive Issue
Kotia, located in Odisha’s Koraput district, has remained at the centre of a protracted territorial dispute between Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The issue has periodically resurfaced over competing administrative claims and activities undertaken by Andhra Pradesh in the area.
The latest concerns relate to election-related activities reportedly being conducted by Andhra Pradesh, prompting the BJD to plan a direct assessment of the situation.
The dispute has remained politically sensitive, with questions over territorial jurisdiction, administrative presence and the delivery of public services continuing to shape developments in the region.
Ground Assessment to Guide Party’s Next Move
By engaging directly with residents, the BJD delegation intends to gather first-hand information rather than rely solely on reports about developments in Kotia. The findings will be placed before the party president for further consideration.
The visit comes amid renewed attention to the border dispute and is likely to bring the issue back into political focus in Odisha.
As the delegation prepares to visit Kotia, the central concern remains the situation on the ground and the implications of the reported activities for Odisha’s administrative interests in the disputed region.
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