The Kotia cluster of villages recorded a 35% voter turnout despite strong objections from the Odisha government

People queue up to cast their vote at Sarika village near Kotia along AP Odisha border on Thursday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

PARVATIPURAM:

The Andhra Pradesh government has completed the process of local body elections in Kotia village along the AP-Odisha border despite strong objections from political party representatives and Odisha officials.

The vote percentage was around 35% compared to 25% in the 2021 election.

The local body elections attracted attention as the two states battled each other over jurisdiction over a group of 14 villages believed to be rich in mineral resources. The villages technically fall under the jurisdiction of Salur constituency in Parvatipuram-Manyam district of Andhra Pradesh as per the States Reorganization Act 1956.

Tension prevailed in these villages throughout the day as hundreds of people and supporters of various Odisha political parties gathered in the villages to prevent voters from participating in the AP government-run ZPTC and MPTC elections.

Parvatipuram Collector N. Prabhakar Reddy and Superintendent of Police SV Madhav Reddy along with other senior officials coordinated the election process in Kurikutti, Tonam and Sarika polling stations.

Nerellavalasa polling station was shifted to Sarika amid strong objection from Odisha.

Parvatipuram-Manyam Deputy Superintendent of Police Ch.V. Seshayya, five circle inspectors and around 10 sub-inspectors and more than 100 constables were deployed to ensure smooth polling in the villages.

Mr. Madhav Reddy expressed happiness over the completion of elections in disputed villages despite many obstacles in the border area.

“The AP police personnel refrained from heated arguments. We prevented unauthorized people from Odisha from entering the polling booths and surrounding areas. Fortunately, the local people supported the AP government and participated in the democratic process without any fear,” Madhav Reddy said while talking to The Hindu.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and Senior President of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Peedika Rajanna Dora exuded confidence that YSRCP will gain an upper hand in Kotia village as the people of the border area have extended their warm support through effective implementation of welfare programmes.

Salur Telugu Desam Party (TDP) mandal president A. Parameswara Rao said the AP government’s Super Six schemes are encouraging people to come forward and exercise their right to vote despite objections from the Odisha government.

Meanwhile, elections went off smoothly in other parts of Parvatipuram-Manyam district barring a few incidents.

As many as 52 candidates tried their luck for 15 ZPTC seats in the district A total of 533 candidates contested for 226 MPTC seats in the district.

The TDP alleged that former MLA Alajangi Joga Rao entered polling booths at several places in Parvatipuram mandal, violating State Election Commission norms. Refuting the allegations, Mr. Joga Rao said he had intervened to prevent alleged rigging of votes in several polling stations in the mandal.

Published – 05 Nov 2026 21:50 IST