BJP snapped ties with TDP over Polavaram project: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Even as Andhra Pradesh is claiming its rights over Kotia group of villages in Koraput district, Pradhan asserted that the villages are an integral part of Odisha and this cannot be compromised.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. (File photo | Reuters)

BHUBANESHWAR: Even as Andhra Pradesh is claiming its rights over Kotia group of villages in Koraput district, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday asserted that the villages under Kotia gram panchayat are an integral part of Odisha and this cannot be compromised.

Pradhan, who visited Kotia panchayat and took stock of the situation there said development is yet to reach the the villages bordering the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh due to gross neglect of the state government.

"I will submit a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention for rapid development of Kotia villagers," he told reporters.

Responding to a query on the controversial Polavaram project, the Union Minister said the State Government has been spreading canards that the BJP was soft towards Andhar Pradesh due to its alliance with the ruling TDP.

"The BJP 's stand on the issue is clear from the beginning. To make the records straight, I must say that Polavaram was the major reasons for snapping ties with the TDP in Andhra Pradesh," he said.

The State Government is trying to cover up its failure by shifting the blame to the BJP. There is no question of BJP compromising on issues, he added.

Later, the Union Minister visited the family of the Kunduli gangrape victim who committed suicide. He strongly criticised the State Government for its failure to nab the culprits even after 6 months of the incident and for overlooking the demand of family for CBI probe into the incident. He further slammed the state police for harassing journalists in the name of investigation.