Odisha Challenges Andhra Pradesh’s Panchayat Polls in Contested Kotia Villages at Supreme Court

The ongoing territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has escalated as the Odisha government has approached the Supreme Court to contest Andhra Pradesh’s recent notification to hold panchayat elections in the contentious Kotia villages. This announcement, made by the Andhra Pradesh government on October 10, involves the organization of zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections in the villages of Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar, and Phatusineri, which both states claim as part of their jurisdiction.

The Kotia region, consisting of 21 villages in Koraput district, has been a longstanding point of contention between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The dispute traces back to 1968 when Odisha first challenged Andhra Pradesh’s claim over these villages in the Supreme Court. In a bid to maintain peace, the court had directed both states to uphold the status quo in 2006, a directive that appears to have been overlooked in recent developments.

In 2021, tensions reignited when Andhra Pradesh conducted panchayat elections in Kotia, prompting Odisha to file a contempt petition in 2022. The recent action by Andhra Pradesh has further aggravated the situation, leading Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, to assert that this move violates the Supreme Court’s earlier directive. He emphasized that the petition submitted to the Supreme Court aims to hold Andhra Pradesh accountable for its actions and to seek a prohibition against any future illegal electoral activities in the disputed areas.

The filing of this petition by the Koraput collector against Andhra Pradesh’s election commissioner and other officials involved in the electoral process reflects the seriousness of the matter. The Odisha government is not only seeking judicial intervention but is also keen on establishing a clear boundary regarding the administration of these villages, which have remained in limbo for decades amid competing claims.

As both states prepare for a legal showdown, the outcome could have significant implications for local governance in the Kotia villages, which have seen fluctuating administrative control over the years. This case is likely to attract considerable attention, not only for its legal ramifications but also for its potential to affect the lives of residents in these villages caught in the crossfire of state politics.

Source: scroll.in