What Have You Done To Resolve Kotia Issue? BJP Asks Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Two days after Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister visited disputed Kotia area in Koraput district, BJP on Wednesday lashed out at Odisha’s BJD government accusing it of having failed to take steps to resolve the issue with the neighbouring state.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, BJP state general secretary Pritiviraj Harichandan alleged that Naveen Patnaik government has been adopting an ‘pathetic’ approach towards the border issue. He sought to know as to what steps the Chief Minister has taken to settle the dispute over Kotia area with Andhra Pradesh.

Accusing the BJD government of having failed to protect the state’s border, the senior BJP leader said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should hold dialogue with his Andhra Pradesh counterpart to resolve the Kotia issue at the earliest.

The Chief Minister must take concrete steps and hold talks with Andhra Pradesh for a lasting solution to the contentious issue within a month, Harichandan said, adding that BJP will launch a state-wide agitation if Naveen fails to take such initiative.

Coming down heavily on the state government over the visit of the Andhra Deputy Chief Minister to Kotia area, he said the BJD government seems to have become a silent spectator to unrestricted activities of  Andhra government within Odisha’s territory.

The Chief Minister should realise that there is a need for a CM-level discussion over the issue, he said.

Apart from Kotia in Koraput, Odisha has also been encountering border issues with Andhra Pradesh in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, the BJP leader said.

Andhra Pradesh officials have been entering some villages in these districts and attempting to lure locals with several welfare schemes, he claimed, adding that Odisha government is keeping silent on the Kotia issue as Ministers and officials never bother to visit the area to safeguard the state’s interests.