Orissa, Andhra battle over border villages

It is a battle between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh ahead of the first phase of elections on April 16 as the two states are engaged in wresting control of 21 villages consisting about 2,600 voters in the state border areas.

The residents of these villages have been availing of facilities like hospitals, schools and panchayats from the Orissa government for the past 40 years. During the elections, the administrations of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh go all out to establish their right over these voters.

This time too, the governments of the two states are setting up polling stations to enable the voters in these villages to exercise their right of franchise.

The polling booths are being set up for around 2600 voters at Kutia, Phagunasuanari, Gajaiapadara and Matkar villages situated on the Orissa-Andhra Pradesh border. Some booths are also being set up in Vizianagram (Andhra Pradesh).