Bhubaneswar: The decision by Andhra Pradesh to reschedule its upcoming rural local body elections in the disputed Kotia panchayat of Odisha’s Koraput district has reignited intense political heat and administrative vigilance across the region.
Originally slated for November 3, voting in the disputed border cluster will now take place on November 5, followed by the counting of votes on November 7. The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission deferred the schedule by two days to avoid an operational clash with the vote counting for its urban local body elections, which remains fixed for November 3.
The move has drawn strong backlash in Odisha, where state authorities have stepped up ground security to protect territorial integrity and prevent neighbour-led polling activities in the area. Two platoons of police have been deployed at three key strategic locations in Kotia to monitor vehicular movement from Andhra Pradesh, maintain law and order, and prevent election-related activities in the disputed villages. The personnel, deployed at Neradivalasa, Harmadingi Chhack near Phatusenari and Tolo Sembi, were on the ground despite incessant rain since Tuesday, triggered by cyclone Arnab, lashed the region, which has made roads slippery in the hilly terrain.
“The incessant rain has made conditions difficult for our personnel, particularly as roads in the hilly terrain have become slippery. However, surveillance is on at all three locations. While four personnel remain on duty at each post during the night, around 10 to 12 personnel are deployed during the day,” TOI reported, quoting Koraput SP Rohit Verma.
According to district rainfall data, the Pottangi block, which includes Kotia, recorded a high of 188 mm of rain in the 24 hours leading up to 8 am on Wednesday, far exceeding the district average of 61.02 mm.
The region has long been a flashpoint between the two states, with Odisha previously challenging Andhra Pradesh’s local election notifications in court over violations of maintaining status quo in the border zone. High-level teams from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have also visited Kotia to assess the situation on the ground. Concurrently, a Congress fact-finding team directed by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das toured the villages on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty launched a direct challenge at Chief Minister Majhi, questioning the government’s handling of Andhra Pradesh’s alleged ongoing incursions and asking, “Who is doing politics?”.
“The reality is that both national parties do not have the guts to take a stand against Andhra Pradesh,” Mohanty posted on x, highlighting that only the BJD has consistently fought to protect the regional integrity of Odisha.
Hon’ble CM of Odisha, Sri Mohan Charan Majhi, should answer…Who is doing politics?
The reality is that both national parties do not have the guts to take a stand against Andhra Pradesh.
It is only the BJD, led by the Hon’ble President of BJD and LOP, Sri Naveen Patnaik, that has never shied away from taking a clear stand for the interest of Kotia, as well as Odisha and 4.5 crore Odias.
The Minister should answer on behalf of the Government as to why they approached the Supreme Court after the nominations were over.
#Kotia
#AfraidToTakeAStand
#OdishasInterest
#NaveenOdisha
#AndhraPradesh
#Dragonfruit— Dr Lenin Mohanty (@DrLeninMohanty1) October 28, 2026
He emphasised that under the leadership of party President and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik, the BJD has never hesitated to stand up for the territorial rights of Kotia and the broader interests of 4.5 crore Odias. He demanded immediate clarification from the Odisha government regarding the timing of its judicial intervention. Mohanty questioned why the state administration delayed moving the Supreme Court until after the nomination process for local elections in the disputed region had already concluded.