SARAT KUMAR DHAL, OP
Pottangi: Political tension mounted along the disputed Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border Friday after a 16-member delegation from Biju Janata Dal (BJD) confronted election campaign workers of a political party from Andhra Pradesh in the border territory of Kotia gram panchayat. The standoff occurred in Phatusineri village under the panchayat, where Andhra Pradesh authorities are preparing to conduct local body elections— specifically Samiti and Zilla Parishad polls—across three revenue villages claimed by Odisha. Dispatched on instructions from former Odisha Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, the BJD delegation disrupted a gathering hosted by Andhra Pradesh’s YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), raising “Go Back Andhra” slogans and forcing the organisers to disperse.
The confrontation underscored the persistent administrative friction over the strategic, resource-rich border belt, where both states have long asserted jurisdiction and competed to provide civic amenities and welfare schemes. During the interaction, several local residents challenged the visiting delegation, questioning the extent of development provided by the Odisha government compared to welfare support offered by Andhra Pradesh officials. “Andhra Pradesh has continuously extended a helping hand to us,” local residents told the delegation, declaring their intent to remain aligned with the neighbouring state. BJD leaders criticised the BJP government in the state for failing to issue a formal protest to Andhra Pradesh officials or halt unauthorised electoral activities within the state’s boundaries. “Whatever development has taken place in Kotia panchayat was carried out under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership,” said Dabugam MLA Manohar Randhari, who joined the delegation alongside Koraput BJD District President Jhan Hikaka, former minister Rabi Narayan Nanda, and senior party leader Bhrigu Baxipatra. “The present state administration has remained silent while neighbouring authorities encroach upon our border,” he said. District administrative officers had visited the area earlier in the week to monitor the situation, but no formal statement has been issued by state authorities regarding the upcoming local elections announced by Andhra Pradesh.
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