Kotia Dispute Intensifies: Naveen Patnaik Urges CM Majhi to Initiate High-Level Talks with Centre and Andhra Pradesh

Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 (UDN): Amid escalating tensions over the long-standing Kotia territorial dispute, Leader of Opposition and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to initiate high-level discussions with the Union Government and Andhra Pradesh to safeguard the state's territorial interests.

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In a fresh letter to the Chief Minister on Wednesday, Naveen expressed serious concern over reports of growing confrontation between officials of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in the disputed Kotia region, particularly in view of Andhra Pradesh's move to conduct local body elections there.

He stressed that immediate intervention at the highest political and administrative levels was necessary to prevent further escalation and protect Odisha's territorial integrity.

Naveen Reminds BJP of Its 2024 Election Promise

Referring to the BJP's 2024 Assembly election manifesto, the BJD president recalled the party's commitment to resolving the Kotia dispute and protecting Odisha's territorial boundaries.

Naveen pointed out that both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are governed by parties belonging to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and urged the state government to use this political understanding to find an effective solution.

In his letter, he said the Chief Minister had a moral responsibility to ensure that Odisha's legitimate interests were protected and that the situation on the ground did not deteriorate further.

He also called upon the BJP leadership to honour its commitment to the people of Odisha and translate its electoral promise on the Kotia issue into concrete action.

Second Letter After Earlier Exchange with CM

The latest communication follows an earlier letter sent by Naveen to Chief Minister Majhi on October 19, 2026. The Chief Minister responded on October 27, reiterating the state government's commitment to protecting Odisha's territorial integrity.

In his reply, Majhi maintained that the Kotia group of villages had been an integral part of Odisha since the formation of the separate state in 1936.

He also asserted that the government was committed to defending Odisha's territorial claims through appropriate legal and constitutional channels.

However, the Chief Minister criticised Naveen's earlier communication, observing that it appeared to approach the sensitive issue from a political perspective rather than offering constructive and legally sustainable solutions.

Government Constitutes Committee for Kotia Development

Highlighting the state government's administrative initiatives, Majhi informed Naveen that a committee headed by the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister had been constituted to monitor development activities in the Kotia Gram Panchayat areas.

The committee includes senior government officials and is responsible for overseeing developmental initiatives in the region. Ministers and senior officials have also been visiting Kotia to review local requirements and assess the progress of various projects.

Majhi further emphasised that the government was pursuing an integrated development strategy for Kotia and neighbouring areas to strengthen infrastructure and improve the socio-economic conditions of residents.

CM Appeals for Restraint and Constructive Suggestions

In his earlier reply, the Chief Minister had urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and respect the judicial process, considering the sensitivity and long-standing nature of the interstate dispute.

He reiterated that his government would continue to defend Odisha's territorial interests before all appropriate legal and constitutional forums while ensuring the development and welfare of the people living in Kotia.

Majhi had also invited Naveen Patnaik to offer constructive suggestions that could help resolve the issue.

Kotia Dispute Returns to Centre Stage

The exchange of letters between the Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition comes at a time when tensions have resurfaced over Andhra Pradesh's proposed Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC) elections in the disputed region.

The developments have once again brought the decades-old territorial dispute into sharp political focus, with both states maintaining their respective claims over the area.

As political pressure mounts, the latest intervention by Naveen Patnaik has added a new dimension to the debate, placing the spotlight on the need for coordinated political dialogue, legal resolution and sustained efforts to protect Odisha's territorial interests.