The decades-old territorial dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha over the Kotia region has resurfaced after Andhra Pradesh announced rural local body elections that include three villages claimed by both states. The development has triggered fresh political debate in Odisha, with former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik questioning the state government's response.

In a letter dated October 19, 2026, Patnaik raised the issue with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, asking the government to clarify its position on the disputed territory and the steps being taken to protect Odisha's claims. The dispute has once again drawn attention to the administrative and political tensions along the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border.

 

Naveen Patnaik questions BJP government's response

Patnaik questioned why the BJP-led Odisha government had not taken stronger action following Andhra Pradesh's election notification. He recalled the BJP's pre-2024 election promise to resolve the Kotia dispute and safeguard Odisha's territorial interests.

He also raised questions about the political relationship between the BJP and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which governs Andhra Pradesh and is an important ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.

Patnaik asked whether this political relationship was influencing Odisha's response to the issue. These remarks represent the opposition leader's allegations and questions; they do not establish that the alliance has affected the government's decisions.

 

Three disputed villages included in Andhra Pradesh's election process

The immediate trigger for the controversy is Andhra Pradesh's move to include Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri in its panchayat election process. The villages fall under Kotia gram panchayat in Odisha's Koraput district, but Andhra Pradesh has included them under separate panchayats in Salur block of Parvathipuram Manyam district.

Andhra Pradesh has announced rural local body elections in phases, with polling scheduled for November 26, November 29 and December 2, 2026, for the relevant election programme. However, the specific polling dates for the disputed Kotia villages had not been announced in the reports available on October 19.

 

Background to the Kotia territorial dispute

Kotia is a cluster of 28 villages located along the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border in the Pottangi block of Koraput district. Odisha maintains that all 28 villages belong to its territory, while Andhra Pradesh claims 21 of them and provides administrative services to residents in several settlements.

The dispute has continued for decades, with both states asserting their claims over the region. The matter has a legal history dating back to proceedings before the Supreme Court, and Odisha's fresh suit filed in January 2022 remains under consideration, according to reports.

 

Odisha government faces calls for action

The controversy has also drawn responses from other political leaders in Odisha. Opposition representatives have called for intervention to prevent further escalation, while Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has stated that the state government is prepared to counter what it considers provocative actions by Andhra Pradesh.

The Odisha administration is monitoring developments in the region. The latest dispute places renewed focus on how the two neighbouring states will manage competing territorial claims and election-related administrative decisions.

 

The immediate developments will depend on the steps taken by both state governments and the progress of the ongoing legal process. The dispute remains unresolved, and the announcement of elections has brought territorial claims, political commitments and inter-state relations back into public debate.