In a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJD president and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed alarm over Andhra Pradesh’s alleged plan to hold elections in Kotia and urged the state government to act decisively to protect Odisha’s territorial integrity. Recalling the party’s pre-election pledges to settle the protracted Kotia conflict and defend Odisha’s territorial interests, Patnaik questioned the BJP government’s reaction to the most recent development in a letter to Majhi.
Patnaik said that his government had battled to preserve the state’s territorial integrity while he was chief minister. Additionally, he noted that BJP leaders had earlier used the slogan “Go Back Andhra” and claimed that Kotia belonged to Odisha. He emphasized that the BJP had pledged in its 2024 election manifesto that the “Double Engine” government will settle the Kotia dispute, protect Odisha’s territorial integrity, and revive Odia pride.
The opposition leader expressed alarm about Andhra Pradesh’s alleged election maneuver despite the BJP’s control of both Odisha and the federal government, and he asked for explanation on the state government’s reaction to the event. Additionally, Patnaik questioned if the BJP government’s attitude to the Kotia conflict was influenced by its political reliance on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a significant ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
He sought details of the recommendations made by the 16-member high-level Kotia Committee constituted in 2025 and asked what steps had been taken to implement them. The BJD leader said the people of Odisha deserved clear answers and accountability regarding the commitments made by the BJP during the elections. He asked whether the state government would firmly protect Odisha’s territorial integrity and constitutional rights or yield to political pressure from the Centre.
Patnaik also questioned whether the “Go Back Andhra” slogan had been merely an election promise, urging the state government to take all necessary measures to safeguard Odisha’s interests and its claim over Kotia. The Kotia region, located along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, has been at the centre of a long-standing territorial dispute between the two states.
