Bhubaneswar, 23 October (H.S.): A 16-member Biju Janata Dal (BJD) delegation from Koraput visited Kotia on Friday to protest Andhra Pradesh’s move to conduct panchayat elections in the disputed border area, where the deadline for filing nominations was scheduled for the day.

The delegation interacted with local residents, assessed the ground situation and opposed the election process being undertaken by Andhra Pradesh. It will submit a report on the visit to BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, party sources said.

The BJD claimed that the previous Naveen Patnaik-led government had undertaken several initiatives to promote development and improve facilities for residents of Kotia. It accused the present BJP-led government in Odisha of failing to take adequate steps for the region’s development.

Reaffirming that Kotia is an integral part of Odisha, the party said it would oppose Andhra Pradesh’s election process and asserted that the polls should not be allowed in the area.

The BJD also claimed that Kotia residents identify with Odisha and are unwilling to participate in the panchayat elections being conducted by Andhra Pradesh.

The visit comes amid renewed political activity over the long-standing territorial dispute involving a group of border villages in Koraput district claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda