Dharmendra-Pramila Spat Over Kotia Row; Union Minister Says Odisha Govt Cannot Remain Silent

Bhubaneswar: A fresh war of words erupted between Odisha’s Revenue Minister Pramila Mallik and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday over the issue of Kotia area in Koraput where Andhra Pradesh has been making intrusions.

While Mallik took a dig at Dharmendra over his recent visit to Kotia area and sought the Centre’s intervention resolve the issue, the Union Minister hit back at her stating that the state government cannot shirk its responsibility and remain a mute spectator.

Being sarcastic about Dharmendra ‘go back Andhra’ call during his visit to Kotia, Mallik sought to know if someone will leave simply because he is asked to quit.

Noting that the matter relating to Kotia is pending before the Supreme Court for years, the Odisha Minister said the Centre should intervene and take steps to settle the issue with Andhra instead of targeting the state government.

Claiming that the state government has taken many steps for the people of Kotia by constructing roads, supplying power & water and setting up schools & anganwadi centre, she said elections were also held for the posts of zilla parishad members and sarpanch.

Hitting back at the Revenue Minister, Dharmendra said he will not be able to answer for someone’s ‘ignorance’ and asked Mallik to refrain from making ‘absurd’ remarks.

Stating that ‘go back Andhra’ is a symbolic expression to show the feelings of a proud Odia, the Union Minister said the British did not leave after ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ were recited. Similarly, ‘Bande Utkal Janani’ also reflects Odia pride.

“I am a proud Odia. If someone claims Odisha territory belongs to Andhra Pradesh I will certainly ask them to go back,” he said.

Though Odisha government has done some work like opening of schools, and road construction in Kotia, the situation still remains as it was in 2018, Dharmendra said.

Andhra Pradesh, on the other hand, has been making lucrative offers to the people in the area and attracting the locals, he said.

Stating that he visited Kotia and nearby villages close to Andhra Pradesh border, Dharmendra said in over 15 km radius area, Andhra has put boards in Telugu and the local Odisha officials have no answer to this.

Mounting a scathing attack on the BJD government in Odisha over the issue, Dharmendra said the state cannot remain a mute spectator by terming the matter as sub judice.

Stating that he has been writing to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging him to take steps for settlement of Kotia issue, he said BJD leaders must rise above political considerations and make sincere efforts towards resolving the issue in the interest of the state.

All political parties should fight for Odisha’s interest unitedly, Dharmendra said if Pramila Mallik wants to denounce him for her own interest, he would not feel bad.