May 11th 2024.
Kotia is a unique region that is currently caught in a dispute between two states. The picturesque cluster of 28 villages is claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and the Supreme Court has been handling the case since 1968. However, amidst this conflict, the over 5,500 residents of Kotia have found a way to benefit from the situation.
You see, with two voter cards issued by both states, these electors are eligible to exercise their franchise in both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh elections. This means that they have the opportunity to cast their votes twice - a privilege that not many can boast of. As one resident, Tamal Kanaya from Tadivalsa village, puts it, "I will vote in both states. While the Andhra Pradesh booth is closer, the one established by Odisha for our village is a few miles away. But that won't stop us from participating in the polls of both states."
The dispute between the two states is of little concern to the people of Kotia, who are more focused on the benefits they receive from both governments. As another villager, Gamel Chinmoyee, says, "We are not bothered about the dispute between the two states. We vote in both states because we benefit from the schemes of both." And with Lok Sabha and assembly elections being held simultaneously in both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the residents of Kotia have a lot at stake.
When questioned about the issue of dual voting in Kotia, Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer Nikunj Bihari Dhal stated that it has not come to his attention and no complaints have been made so far. However, an official from Odisha's Koraput district confirms that the people of Kotia do indeed cast votes in both AP and Odisha elections. This is made possible by the fact that each individual has two names on their voter and Aadhaar cards provided by the two states.
A total of 5,502 voters reside in 21 of the 28 villages of Kotia, with equal representation of men and women. And they exercise their right to vote in all elections - from panchayat to Lok Sabha - in both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. While Odisha has designated nine polling stations in the area, Andhra Pradesh has three in this year's election.
The political campaigns in Kotia have been mainly led by Andhra's TDP and YSR Congress candidates, with little involvement from Odisha parties. This is evident from the fact that a resident of Arajuwalasa, Kamati Gamel, says, "No party from Odisha has come to our village; we don't even know the candidates. However, TDP and YSR Congress candidates from Andhra have visited our village."
Kotia falls under Koraput Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha and Araku Lok Sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh. Currently, these seats are held by the Congress and the YSR Congress, respectively. The main occupation of the villagers is farming on the slopes of the Eastern Ghats, with some also selling minor forest produce for livelihood.
Despite the challenges of living in a disputed region, the villagers of Kotia seem content with the current setup as they reap the rewards of both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Twenty-one-year-old Kiran Majhi, who will be voting for the first time in the elections, prefers that the dispute remains unresolved as it benefits the villagers.
The Odisha government has played a crucial role in bolstering infrastructure in Kotia, with the establishment of hospitals, police stations, roads, bridges, and drinking water facilities. On the other hand, the Andhra Pradesh administration has implemented social security schemes like old age pension. This has led to a harmonious coexistence in Kotia as the residents benefit from the best of both worlds.
In the upcoming elections, the district election officer-cum-collector of Koraput, Keerthi Vasan V, hopes to increase the voting percentage in Kotia through awareness drives. The dispute over the ownership of 21 of the 28 villages of Kotia panchayat has been ongoing since 1968. In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that inter-state boundaries do not fall under its jurisdiction and only Parliament can resolve them. As a result, a permanent injunction was imposed on the disputed area. However, despite the Odisha administration's objection, citing the Supreme Court's directive to maintain the status quo, Andhra Pradesh conducted rural polls in 2021.
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