Odisha challenges Andhra Pradesh's Panchayat Election Notification in Kotia Villages

Odisha has taken the dispute over the Kotia region to the Supreme Court, contesting Andhra Pradesh’s recent notification to hold local elections in three contested villages—Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri. Both states claim jurisdiction over the 21 villages straddling the inter-state border, a contention that dates back to a 1968 challenge by Odisha. The Supreme Court previously ordered both sides to preserve the status quo in 2006, a directive Odisha says Andhra Pradesh breached.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari filed a contempt petition, naming the Andhra Pradesh election commissioner and other officials, while urging the court to bar future “illegal activities.” Opposition figure Naveen Patnaik wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, alleging the state’s lenient approach stems from the central NDA’s reliance on the Telugu Desam Party, a coalition partner of Andhra Pradesh. The case revives a long-standing border dispute that flared again after Andhra Pradesh held panchayat polls in the area in 2021.