Kotia Issue: Odisha BJP Leader Bijoy Mohapatra Proposes All-Party House Committee

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the panchayat elections conducted by the Andhra Pradesh government in three villages of Kotia panchayat in Koraput district, senior leader of BJP’s Odisha unit Bijoy Mohapatra on Wednesday proposed formation of an all-party committee to resolve the border dispute with the southern neighbour.

Speaking to media persons, here, Mohapatra said, “The budget session of the Odisha Assembly will begin on Friday and a number of issues will be discussed. However, I request all the legislators to seriously take up the Kotia issue and form an all-party House committee either under the chairmanship of the Speaker or any senior leader. The committee should immediately proceed to Kotia and conduct a ground study to find a permanent solution.”

Stating that Odisha has border disputes with both West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, he said the panchayat election conducted by the Andhra government in Kotia panchayat on February 13 is the first incident in the country.

Expressing his grave concern over the development, the BJP leader said considering the situation, the time has come to act immediately instead of leaving the matter to the Supreme Court.

“I request to suspend the Assembly session for at least two days so that the legislators can visit Kotia. Odisha will gradually lose its existence, if the situation is allowed to continue,” Mohapatra said.