BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has sought constructive suggestions from Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik to resolve the long-standing Kotia boundary dispute with Andhra Pradesh, while accusing the Biju Janata Dal president of approaching the sensitive issue from a political perspective.
In a letter dated October 27, Mr Majhi responded to Mr Patnaik’s communication of October 19, reiterating that the Kotia group of villages in Koraput district had been an integral part of Odisha since the formation of the separate state in 1936.
“The State Government remains firmly committed to safeguarding the territorial integrity and legitimate interests of Odisha,” the Chief Minister said, stressing that the dispute must be addressed through lawful and constitutional means.
Taking exception to the tone of the Opposition leader’s letter, Mr Majhi said it appeared to focus on political considerations rather than offering constructive and legally tenable solutions to the decades-old dispute.
The exchange comes amid renewed concern over Andhra Pradesh’s announcement of panchayat elections in areas linked to the disputed Kotia region. The issue has brought the territorial claims of the two neighbouring states back into focus and triggered criticism of the BJP government in Odisha.
Mr Patnaik had questioned the state government’s response to Andhra Pradesh’s move, recalling the BJP’s pre-2024 Assembly election promise to resolve the Kotia dispute under a “double-engine government”. He had also questioned whether the BJP’s alliance with the Telugu Desam Party, which governs Andhra Pradesh, was affecting Odisha’s ability to assert its territorial interests.
The former Chief Minister had sought details of the recommendations of the 16-member Kotia committee constituted by the Odisha government in 2025 and the action taken to implement them.
In his reply, Mr Majhi said the state government had consistently defended Odisha’s territorial interests through legal and constitutional channels while prioritising development in Kotia and adjoining areas.
He referred to a committee headed by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, with senior officials as members, to oversee the integrated development of Kotia gram panchayat. Ministers and senior officials have also been visiting the region to assess local requirements and coordinate development initiatives.
The Chief Minister said the government was committed to improving public services, promoting inclusive growth and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of residents in the border region.
Calling for restraint and responsibility, Mr Majhi urged all concerned to respect the judicial process in view of the sensitivity of the inter-state dispute. He said his government would continue to protect Odisha’s territorial integrity before appropriate legal and constitutional forums while ensuring the development of people living in Kotia and neighbouring areas.
“I would appreciate receiving your constructive suggestions, if any, for resolution of this long-pending issue, for consideration of the Government,” he said in the letter.
The Kotia dispute has persisted for decades, with Odisha and Andhra Pradesh asserting competing claims over villages along their border. Odisha maintains that the villages belong to Koraput district, while Andhra Pradesh has sought to strengthen its administrative presence in parts of the region through public services and welfare initiatives.
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