The Odisha government has filed a contempt of court petition against the Andhra Pradesh government in the Supreme Court, challenging its notification to conduct panchayat elections in the disputed Kotia region in Koraput district, The Hindu BusinessLine reported on October 24.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the petition was filed through the district collector of Koraput after Andhra Pradesh issued a notification on October 10 to conduct Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in the Kotia cluster of villages. "We have filed the contempt petition in the apex court after getting approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi," Pujari told reporters.

Odisha TV (OTV) also reported the filing, saying Pujari confirmed Odisha had approached the Supreme Court through the Koraput Collector over the October 10 notification, alleging a violation of the status-quo order.

Source: Odisha TV (OTV)

According to Pujari, a 2006 Supreme Court order requires both states to maintain the status quo in Kotia. Odisha says all 28 villages under Kotia Gram Panchayat are in Odisha territory, while Andhra Pradesh claims rights over 21 of them. Odisha first challenged the claim in the Supreme Court in 1968.

Pujari said the contempt proceedings name the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner, the chief secretary, the collector of the district concerned and other officers engaged in election management as parties. "We will also pray to the Supreme Court to direct the Andhra Pradesh government to refrain from such illegal activities in the future," he said — Odisha's allegation, as stated by its minister.

An official said Andhra Pradesh has again notified local body polls in the disputed villages of Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri. In 2021, Andhra Pradesh held panchayat polls in the disputed region, prompting Odisha to file a contempt petition in 2022. Pujari said Kotia is an integral part of Odisha and the state is taking legal and administrative steps to uphold its rights. Andhra Pradesh's response to the latest petition had not been reported at the time of publication.