Kotia dispute: Dharmendra Pradhan calls for cross-party unity to defend Odisha's rights
Synopsis
With Andhra Pradesh pushing to hold local body elections in the disputed Kotia region, former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has broken ranks with the ongoing political blame-game in Odisha — calling on the BJP, BJD, and Congress to present a united front. It is a rare cross-party appeal from a senior BJP figure, made all the more pointed by the fact that Andhra Pradesh's ruling alliance is a BJP-allied partner at the Centre.
Key Takeaways
Dharmendra Pradhan , Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister, on 21 October 2026 called for cross-party unity to defend Odisha's rights over the Kotia region .
The appeal follows fresh attempts by Andhra Pradesh under CM Chandrababu Naidu to conduct local body elections in the disputed area.
Pradhan has personally visited Kotia village three times — in April 2018 , February 2019 , and April 2023 .
He wrote to Naveen Patnaik on 18 November 2020 and 31 October 2022 , and to Y.S.
Jagan Mohan Reddy on 22 September 2021 , seeking resolution.
The BJP , BJD , and Congress in Odisha have been engaged in a war of words over the latest Andhra Pradesh incursion.
Former Union Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, called on all political parties to set aside their differences and stand together in defence of Odisha's rights over the long-contested Kotia region, as tensions with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh flare up once again. His appeal comes in the wake of fresh attempts by the Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, to conduct local body elections in the disputed border area.
Fresh Flashpoint in the Kotia Dispute
The Kotia cluster of villages, straddling the border between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, has long been at the centre of a territorial dispute between the two states. The latest spark was Andhra Pradesh's push to hold local body elections in the region — a move that Odisha has consistently contested as an infringement on its territorial sovereignty. The development has triggered a sharp war of words among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government, the opposition Indian National Congress, and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), all trading accusations over who bears responsibility for the prolonged stalemate.
What Pradhan Said on X
Sharing his position on social media platform X, Pradhan wrote: 'We all know how important Kotia is for Odisha and the Odia people. Kotia is the identity of Odisha's sovereignty and integrity. As an Odia, the long-standing border dispute over Kotia is certainly a matter of concern. Regardless of party affiliations, there is a need to come together for Odisha's interests and find a collective solution.'
He added: 'The responsibility of political figures is crucial to resolving the issues of this region. Through dialogue, we need to create a cordial atmosphere and find a way towards a solution.'
Pradhan also invoked the legacy of historic figures of Odisha — Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, and Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati — asserting that their sacrifices to secure Odisha's geographical boundaries 'will not go in vain.'
Pradhan's Record on the Kotia Question
Pradhan noted that he has personally visited Kotia village on three occasions — in April 2018, February 2019, and April 2023 — to assess ground conditions. He also disclosed that he had earlier written formal letters urging resolution of the dispute: one to then Odisha Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik on 18 November 2020 and again on 31 October 2022, and a separate letter to then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on 22 September 2021.
Political Backdrop
The renewed tensions are notable because they pit the BJP — both at the Centre and in the Odisha state government — against an Andhra Pradesh administration also led by a BJP-allied National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner. Critics argue this complicates the Centre's ability to act as a neutral arbiter. Notably, despite multiple letters and visits over the years, the Kotia question has resisted resolution across successive governments in both states.
What Comes Next
Pradhan's call for a 'collective solution' signals pressure for a broader political consensus, potentially opening the door to fresh inter-state dialogue or a legal challenge before the Supreme Court. Whether the three principal parties in Odisha — the ruling BJP, the BJD, and the Congress — can translate the rhetoric of unity into coordinated action remains to be seen. 'Our fight for Odia pride will continue,' Pradhan asserted, framing the issue as one of collective responsibility that transcends partisan calculations.
Point of View
Yet the territorial standoff persists, raising questions about the Centre's will to intervene. A cross-party call for unity sounds statesmanlike, but Odisha's three main parties have historically used Kotia more as electoral ammunition than as a catalyst for genuine inter-state dialogue. Without a concrete mechanism — a fresh Supreme Court petition, a joint committee, or a Centre-brokered timeline — the 'collective responsibility' framing risks becoming another rhetorical cycle in a dispute that has outlasted multiple chief ministers on both sides.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kotia dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh?
The Kotia dispute is a long-standing border conflict over a cluster of villages claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Both states assert administrative jurisdiction over the region, and periodic attempts by Andhra Pradesh — such as conducting local body elections there — have repeatedly inflamed tensions.
Why has the Kotia dispute flared up again in 2026?
Tensions resurfaced after the Andhra Pradesh government under Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu moved to hold local body elections in the Kotia region, which Odisha views as an encroachment on its territorial sovereignty. The development triggered sharp reactions from all major political parties in Odisha.
What has Dharmendra Pradhan done previously on the Kotia issue?
Pradhan has visited Kotia village on three occasions — April 2018, February 2019, and April 2023. He also wrote formal letters to then Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in November 2020 and October 2022, and to then Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in September 2021, urging steps to resolve the border dispute.
Which parties are involved in the political row over Kotia in Odisha?
The BJP-led Odisha state government, the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and the Indian National Congress have all been involved in a war of words following Andhra Pradesh's latest moves in the Kotia region. Pradhan's appeal is aimed at persuading all three to present a unified front.
What is the significance of Pradhan's cross-party appeal?
Pradhan's call for all parties to set aside political differences and work collectively for Odisha's interests is notable because it comes from a senior BJP leader at a time when his own party governs both Odisha and is allied with Andhra Pradesh's ruling coalition at the Centre. It signals that the dispute has grown too politically sensitive to be handled along partisan lines alone.
