The first time Andhra Pradesh held panchayat polls in the Kotia cluster, which is at the centre of a dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- These villages are located on a remote hilltop on the inter-state border and are inhabited by Kondh tribals.
- They are registered as voters for Salur Assembly and Araku Lok Sabha seats of Andhra Pradesh, and Pottangi Assembly and Koraput Lok Sabha seats of Odisha.
- Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said it was a matter of concern that a State had conducted panchayat elections inside another State’s geographical boundary.
