BJD Delegation to Visit Kotia Panchayat Amid Election-Related Concerns
A BJD delegation will visit Kotia Panchayat on October 23 to address concerns over alleged election activities by Andhra Pradesh.
Bhubaneswar, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : A delegation from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is set to visit Kotia Panchayat on October 23. This visit comes in response to allegations that Andhra Pradesh is conducting election-related activities in several villages within the Kotia region, located in the Potangi block of Odisha’s Koraput district.
The decision for the visit was made following directives from BJD President and Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik. The party stated that the purpose of the visit is to assess the ground situation and understand the concerns of residents in the affected villages, considering the implications for Odisha’s regional integrity and administrative rights.
During the visit, the delegation plans to engage with the residents of Kotia, evaluate the current circumstances, and gather firsthand information regarding the alleged activities of the neighboring state.
The 16-member delegation includes BJD MLA Manohar Randhari, former ministers Jagannath Sarka, Rabi Narayan Nanda, and Ramesh Majhi, along with former MP Jhina Hikaka, among others. After the visit, the delegation will compile a report to be submitted to BJD chief Naveen Patnaik for further action.
The BJD has emphasized the need for the state government to take effective measures to protect the interests of Kotia residents and uphold Odisha’s regional integrity. The party also highlighted a recent letter from Patnaik to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging intervention in the Kotia matter due to the latest developments.
Ahead of the 2024 elections, Patnaik has questioned the BJP government’s failure to fulfill its promises related to the Kotia issue, citing the BJP’s commitment to resolving the matter permanently and safeguarding Odisha’s regional integrity. The BJD believes that the government must address local concerns adequately while taking decisive action to support the residents of Kotia.
