Naveen Patnaik writes to Odisha chief minister over Andhra Pradesh’s Kotia election notification

Patnaik’s letter raises the issue

On Oct 19, 2026, Biju Janata Dal president and opposition leader Naveen Patnaik wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi questioning the state’s silence after the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission announced rural polls that could extend to three villages – Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri – in the disputed Kotia gram panchayat. Patnaik asked whether the BJP‑led government’s “double‑engine” promise to resolve the Kotia question had been abandoned.

The disputed Kotia region

Kotia, located in Koraput district’s Pottangi block, comprises 28 villages. Odisha maintains that all belong to the state, while Andhra Pradesh claims 21 of them and already provides administrative services under different village names. The boundary clash dates back to a 1968 Supreme Court order that directed both states to preserve the status quo. A fresh suit filed by Odisha in January 2022 remains before the apex court.

Election timetable and political backdrop

Andhra’s election commission has scheduled three phases of panchayat polls for Nov 26, Nov 29 and Dec 2, 2026 across the Parvathipuram Manyam district, which includes the contested area. The exact polling dates for the Kotia villages have not been disclosed. Patnaik highlighted that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which governs Andhra, is a key ally of the BJP‑led NDA at the centre, and he asked whether that dependence was influencing Odisha’s muted response.

Government’s response

State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari told PTI that Odisha is “fully prepared to thwart any provocative attempts by the neighbouring state” and that the Revenue Divisional Commissioner and the Koraput district collector have been instructed to monitor the situation closely. BJP functionary Goutam Samantaray reiterated the party’s commitment to protect Odisha’s territorial integrity, urging a diplomatic and administrative resolution rather than politicisation.

Committee recommendations pending

Patnaik also asked for an update on the 16‑member Kotia Committee, set up in 2025 to recommend a permanent settlement. The committee’s report has not been made public, and Patnaik pressed the chief minister for concrete actions on its recommendations.

What lies ahead?

With the Supreme Court still handling Odisha’s fresh petition and the election dates fast approaching, the issue is likely to stay in the spotlight. Both state officials and opposition leaders have signalled that any escalation could spark broader regional tension, but the Odisha government insists it will act within constitutional bounds to safeguard the state’s interests.

Reactions from other parties

Congress MLA Ram Chandra Kadam accused the BJP‑led government of “double standards”, while Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati warned of possible mass agitation if the dispute is not addressed promptly. Despite these political jabs, the administration’s public stance remains one of vigilance and readiness to defend Odisha’s claim.

Bottom line

Patnaik’s letter has turned the Kotia dispute into a test of the BJP‑TDP alliance’s influence on state‑level decisions. While the Odisha government stresses its preparedness, the pending Supreme Court case and upcoming Andhra polls keep the matter unresolved for now.