Bhubaneswar, Oct. 20 -- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday accused the BJP government in Odisha of failing to protect the State's territorial interests in Kotia, alleging that its alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which governs Andhra Pradesh, has compromised its response to the border dispute.
Referring to a letter by BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue, party media coordinator Lenin Mohanty alleged that Andhra Pradesh had initiated preparations for panchayat elections in disputed villages, including Phagunsineri, Ganjeipadar and Phatusineri, despite the long-standing status quo order of the Supreme Court.
Mohanty said the BJP had promised before the 2024 Assembly elections to resolve the dispu...