Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has called for a collective effort to resolve the long-standing Kotia border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, urging political leaders to set aside party differences and prioritise the state’s interests.
Describing Kotia as a symbol of Odisha’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Pradhan said the dispute remained a matter of concern for the people of the state. He alleged that interference from Andhra Pradesh had contributed to the problems faced by the border region.
Pradhan said he had visited Kotia in 2018, 2019 and 2023 and had repeatedly sought a resolution through communication with the leadership of both states.
He said he had written to former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik in November 2020 and October 2022 regarding the issue. In September 2021, he had also written to the then Andhra Pradesh chief minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, urging steps towards resolving the dispute.
Call for dialogue and political consensus
Pradhan stressed that political leaders needed to take responsibility for finding an amicable solution through dialogue and by creating a conducive atmosphere for negotiations.
He said the efforts and sacrifices of those who had fought to protect Odisha’s geographical boundaries should not go in vain, adding that the struggle to safeguard Odia identity would continue.
Preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Odisha was a collective responsibility, Pradhan said, calling on all stakeholders to work together in the larger interest of the state.
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