Pottangi: A Congress fact-finding team led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das visited Kotia panchayat in Koraput district Tuesday to assess the situation amid the long-standing boundary dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The team held a meeting at the panchayat office after rain and strong winds associated with a cyclone disrupted a planned gathering on the premises.
Local residents and media representatives attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Congress leaders accused the Andhra Pradesh government of attempting to strengthen its influence over Kotia by providing government assistance to residents and holding elections in the disputed area.
They also criticised the Odisha government for its alleged failure to adequately protect the state’s interests.
Das said Congress would continue its struggle to prevent Andhra Pradesh from consolidating its position in Kotia through electoral activities.
He appealed to both states to maintain cordial relations while resolving the dispute and urged the Odisha government not to remain silent on the issue.
Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka expressed concern over the vacant revenue inspector’s post in the panchayat, which he said had remained unfilled for months.
He questioned the district administration’s inaction and criticised the state government over its handling of the border dispute.
Jayapur MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati questioned why the dispute remained unresolved despite the Supreme Court’s directions for discussions between the two states.
He also criticised elected MPs from Odisha for allegedly failing to raise the issue effectively in Parliament, saying they should resign if they could not represent the state’s interests.
After the meeting, the Congress delegation travelled towards Neridivalasa village.
At Upar Sembi village, Bahinipati confronted Andhra Pradesh police personnel deployed in the area, questioning their presence and asking them to leave.
Congress workers removed and threw aside traffic barricades placed on the road and raised slogans of ‘Andhra Go Back’.
The delegation later reached Neridivalasa, where Das spoke to residents about the various government benefits and assistance being provided by Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Odisha Police advised the delegation against returning via the route through Kotia, citing concerns over possible tensions following the confrontation with Andhra Pradesh police.
The team was advised to return to Pottangi block headquarters via the British Road.
The Congress delegation was accompanied by local MLA Rama Chandra Kadam; Lakshmipur MLA Pabitra Saunta; Rayagada MLA Kadraka Appala Swamy; Gunupur MLA Satyajeet Gomango; Bissam Cuttack MLA Nilamadhab Hikaka; Chitrakonda MLA Mangu Khilla; state Mahila Congress president Meenakshi Bahinipati; district Congress president Rupak Turuk; district Seva Dal secretary Gobinda Khara; Zilla Parishad member Tikai Gemel; former MLAs Nimai Sarkar and Krushnachandra Sagaria; MLA’s representative Gupta Sankar Patnaik; and MP’s representative Sukra Khara.
Presidents of all blocks in the Pottangi Assembly constituency, along with other Congress workers and office-bearers, were also present.