Andhra Pradesh proceeds with local body elections in disputed Kotia villages

Andhra Pradesh has decided to proceed with local body elections in the disputed Kotia villages along its border with Odisha on November 5, pressing ahead despite a legal challenge mounted by the neighbouring state in the Supreme Court. The move underscores the intense competition between Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), both of which claim the contested villages will vote decisively in their favour.

The Kotia region has long been a flashpoint in the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha boundary dispute, with both states asserting territorial claims over the villages. Odisha has approached the Supreme Court seeking intervention to halt the elections, arguing that holding polls in the contested area violates the boundary dispute resolution process and prejudices its legal position.

The YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh maintains that the villages fall within its jurisdiction and has the constitutional right to conduct local body elections. The TDP, meanwhile, has also staked its political claim in the region, viewing the electoral exercise as an opportunity to expand its influence ahead of upcoming state elections.

The Supreme Court's response to Odisha's plea and whether it will intervene before the November 5 polling date remains unclear. The situation reflects the persistent tensions between the two states over border demarcation, a matter that has remained unresolved despite multiple attempts at settlement through various forums.