Andhra Dy CM’s Kotia Visit Adds Fuel To Dispute With Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Fresh visit of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Peedika Rajanna Dora to Kotia group of villages under Pottangi block of Odisha’s Koraput district amid territorial dispute between the two states has triggered vairous speculations.

This was stated to be his third visit to the disputed Kotia area in last five months. He was accompanied by Salur Tehsildar, BDO, and security personnel.

Dora visited Kotia area on Monday, days after logos of Andha government containing the picture of Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy were pasted on concrete houses provided by Odisha government to poor villagers of Talasembi and Uparsembi under the panchayat.

Accompanied by the supporters of YSR Congress and Andhra officials, Dora today visited Phatu Sineri, Phagun Sineri and Kanadora villages of Kotia and enquired about the implementation of welfare measures launched by AP government in the area.

While interacting with the villagers during his door-to-door visit, the Andhra Pradesh Dy CM reportedly stated that Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are brothers.

It may be noted here that Dora had visited Dhoolipadar village of Kotia on February 9, this year and informed people about various welfare schemes being implemented by Andhra Pradesh.

Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are engaged in a five-decade-long dispute over the ownership of Kotia group of villages. Both the states have been claiming their territorial control over Kotia since early 1960s.

Dora’s statement describing Odisha and Andhra as brothers has fueled a variety of speculations regarding the real intention of the neighbouring state.

Terming the Andhra Minister’s visit as unfurtunate, senior Congress leader and MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati accused the Odisha government of neglecting the area. The Odisha government should take immediate steps to prevent any form of intrusion by Andhra Pradesh into Kotia, he said.