Over 2,500 electors of the 21 tribal villages maintain voter IDs, ration playing cards, and even pension playing cards of each states as they fall beneath two Lok Sabha constituencies: Araku in Andhra and Koraput in Odisha.In 1968, Odisha moved SC laying declare to the villages. The courtroom, nonetheless, dominated that interstate boundary points fall outdoors its jurisdiction and may solely be resolved by Parliament. Consequently, a everlasting injunction was imposed, restraining both of the states from taking any motion.
Nonetheless, when requested concerning the double voting rights, Andhra’s CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena known as it unlawful. “One individual can solid just one vote at one location. Enrolment in two states is prohibited. One ought to cancel the registration in a single state to enrol in one other,” he mentioned.
However, the large query these electors face this time is which state they’ll vote in, as each Araku and Koraput go to polls on Might 13.
To get a really feel of the geopolitical complexities and the voter pulse, TOI visited this cluster. Right here’s the tug-of-war: Andhra claims the villages belong to its ParvathipuramManyam district, whereas Odisha asserts they lie in Koraput. Land surveys, data, and varied types of proof gas arguments from either side vying for management. Growth initiatives, political disputes, and useful resource allocation additional complicate issues.
Within the run-up to elections, debates right here centre across the contrasting approaches of the 2 states — Odisha’s infrastructure push versus Andhra’s welfare programmes. Odisha has made vital inroads, cementing its presence with concrete roads connecting villages to Kotia, the primary panchayat. It has additionally established faculties, a major well being centre, and an Indian Reserve Battalion outpost. Andhra, in the meantime, is specializing in monetary support by means of welfare schemes. This turns into evident whereas traversing from Salur in Andhra in the direction of Kotia, as one nears the Odisha border.
Whereas voters residing downhill appear to determine extra intently with Andhra, these uphill might favour Odisha. However, usually, villagers, who eke out a dwelling cultivating millets and a few paddy on the rugged slopes of the Jap Ghats, really feel they maintain the higher hand as twin id playing cards grant them entry to advantages of each the states.
As an illustration, Chodipalli Latchayya, a resident of Dhulibhadra hamlet in Salur mandal, Andhra, possesses a ration card beneath this id. He additionally doubles up as Latchayya Pangi on one other ration card in Odisha’s Pottangi block, Koraput. Equally, Gemele Kati, who enjoys “voting rights” in each the states, has an Aadhaar card issued on an Andhra handle, and is in search of a pension primarily based on that.
Villages too have twin official names. “Ganjaeipadar” in Odisha turns into “Ganjaibhadra” in Andhra, influenced by Telugu. Equally, “Nerallavalasa” in Andhra turns into “Naradbalsa” in Odisha, and “Pattuchenneru” turns into “Phatuseneri”.
When requested the place they’d vote, residents of Nerallavalasa and Thadivalsa — two of the 21 disputed villages — picked Andhra’s sales space because the state affords extra welfare schemes. Andhra offers a month-to-month welfare pension of Rs 3,000 in comparison with Odisha’s Rs 500. Andhra’s incentives, starting from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh per household per 12 months, are a giant draw.
Within the Kotia cluster, consisting of tribals from Konda Dora, Mooka Dora, Gadaba, and Jatapu communities, some talk in Telugu and Odia, however most communicate the ‘Kui’ dialect.
Vanthala Sana, 60, from Nerellavalasa village beneath Sarika panchayat, mentioned the dispute is simply between the states, not folks. “We obtain extra advantages from Andhra; I’ll vote at an Andhra sales space,” she added.
Abhi Gemel, who too receives advantages from each the states, mentioned he would assist Odisha as their tradition is nearer to that of the tribals of Koraput. Nonetheless, the advantages haven’t translated into uplift. Most villagers are illiterate or dropouts, which is mirrored within the low variety of residents securing govt jobs in both state.
