Odisha's ruling BJP and opposition parties have joined forces to block Andhra Pradesh's rural polls in Kotia. The united stand escalates a decades-old border dispute now before the Supreme Court.Image used for representational purposes onlyKoraput,Oct 30, 2026 13:38 ISTOdisha's ruling BJP and all opposition parties have decided to jointly oppose the Andhra Pradesh government's move to conduct rural elections in the disputed Kotia region, political leaders told news agency Press Trust of India on Friday.The territorial dispute over the Kotia villages, located in the Eastern Ghats along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, has continued for decades and often comes to the fore during elections.
Both states claim territorial rights over the villages, and the matter is before the Supreme Court.Residents of the disputed villages have dual voting status and can exercise their franchise in both states. Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to hold elections there on November 5.The Koraput district administration, under whose jurisdiction the disputed villages fall, has warned of strict legal action, including arrests, against those who violate prohibitory orders or influence residents to participate in the polls.
The decision to jointly oppose Andhra Pradesh's move was taken at an all-party meeting on Thursday. The meeting, chaired by Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, was attended by leaders of all major parties.
They unanimously agreed to protect Odisha's territorial interests.Jeypore Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said there would be "no compromise" over Kotia's territorial status. "Not an inch of Kotia will be surrendered to Andhra Pradesh. Kotia is an integral part of Odisha, and we are one when it comes to protecting the region.
Those who are choosing to vote in Andhra Pradesh's elections on November 5 should also give up the benefits they receive from the Odisha government," Bahinipati said. Former Koraput MP and BJD leader Jhina Hikaka said political leaders would jointly visit the disputed villages and, if necessary, camp there to prevent Andhra Pradesh from conducting the elections."We have unanimously decided to stand together for Kotia.
Leaders from all parties will visit the villages and, if required, stay there to ensure that Andhra Pradesh does not conduct the elections," Hikaka said.BJP MLA Raghuram Machha said the Odisha government was taking all necessary measures to protect the state's interests and sought cooperation from all political parties.Mahajan told Press Trust of India that the administration had filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court challenging Andhra Pradesh's election-related activities in Kotia."Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will come into force from November 1 to prevent unauthorised activities and maintain law and order in the region," the collector said.Warning against attempts to influence villagers, Mahajan said strict action would be taken for any violation. "Anyone found luring villagers to participate in Andhra Pradesh's elections or violating prohibitory orders will face legal action. Arrests will be made if necessary," he said.Security has been tightened across sensitive border villages, with police personnel deployed at key locations to monitor the movement of people ahead of the polls.
The collector said the administration was also focusing on development initiatives and addressing villagers' grievances to strengthen public confidence.The political parties and the Koraput administration have thus taken a joint stand against Andhra Pradesh's proposed polls in Kotia, while pursuing legal, security and administrative measures in the disputed region.- Ends