Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on BJD over Kotia, BJP on Monday alleged that the ruling party has endorsed the intrusion of Andhra Pradesh into Odisha’s territory by criticising Union Minister Dharmenra Pradhan’s visit to the area in Koraput district.
Accusing the ruliling BJD of being intolerant towards the Kotia visit of Dharmendra, four BJP MLAs told reporters in Bhubaneswar that instead of welcoming the Union Minister’s move, the ruling party is criticising it and showing ‘intolerance.’
In a stinging attakck on the Naveen Patnaik government, Dhamnagar MLA Suryabanshi Suraj claimed that the ruling BJD is simply speaking the language and mind of Andhra Pradesh by criticising the Union Minister on Kotia issue.
BJD’s opposition to Dharmendra’s ‘Andhra go back’call amounts to speaking in favour of Andhra Pradesh and its intrusion into Kotia area, Suraj claimed.
Speaking in same vein, Brahmagiri MLA L B Mohaptra said Dharmendra did not commit any sin by uttering ‘go back Andhra’ slogan and singing the state song – ‘Bande Utkal Janani’ – with schoolchildren during his visit to Kotia on Utkal Divas.
“If it is a crime to sing Bande Utkal Janani with Fatusneri school children, then we will want the Union Minister to commit this crime again and again,” the BJP MLA said
Accusing BJD of being intolerant towards Dharmendra’s efforts to safeguard the interest of Odisha, he said the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has warned the Union Minister for his statement in Kotia.
Surprisingly, the BJD leaders, instead of rising above party lines and remaining united, have given disparaging comments, the BJP leader claimed, said Loisingha MLA Mukesh Mahaling.
Attacking the Odisha government for not calling an all-party meeting though Dharmendra written to the Chief Minister on the need to resolve Kotia issue many times, he said Andhra is also ttrying to gram our land in Ganjam, apart from Kotia in Koraput.
Recalling Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s visit to Odisha and his talks with Naveen Patnaik, another BJP legislator Sanatan Bijuli sought to know as to why no step to resolve the Kotia issue was initiated.
Seeking to know as to whether 5T initiative does not work in Kotia, he raised questions about the steps taken by the district administration to check intrusion by Andhra.
The BJP lawmakers demanded that Andhra Pradesh government take out its hoarding from Kotia and resolve the border dispute soon.
Reacting to BJP legislators’ attack, Revenue Minister Pramila Mallik sought the intervention of the Central government for resolution of Kotia dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The Centre should convene a meeting between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for border demarcation, she said, adding that Dharmendra should take steps in this regard as he happens to be a Union Minister.
Claiming that the Odisha government has undertaken a slew of development activities in Kotia panchayat of Koraput district, Malik said development has taken place in many sectors including roads network and power supply.
