Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Friday filed a contempt of court petition in Supreme Court against the Andhra Pradesh government over its notification to conduct panchayat elections in the disputed Kotia region in Koraput.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said Andhra Pradesh has violated the Supreme Court order to maintain status quo on Kotia by notifying panchayat elections there.
The Koraput Collector has filed a contempt proceeding against the Andhra government, making the Andhra Election Commissioner, Chief Secretary, Collector of the concerned district, and other officers engaged in the election management a party in the matter, the minister informed.
“We will also pray to the Supreme Court to direct the Andhra government to refrain from such illegal activities,” the minister stated.
Tensions between the two states flared in 2021 when Andhra held panchayat elections in the disputed region, prompting Odisha to file a contempt petition.
Now, the Andhra administration has again notified local body polls in disputed villages of Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri.
Odisha has maintained that Kotia is an integral part of the state and is taking legal and administrative steps to uphold its rights.