A decades-old border dispute between Telangana and Maharashtra has flared up as Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced efforts to transfer administrative control of 14 villages from Telangana’s Komaram Bheem Asifabad district to Maharashtra. The Telangana government has remained silent, with the district’s Additional Collector confirming no official response has been issued.

Villagers in the affected areas, located along the Maharashtra-Telangana border, are vehemently opposing the proposed merger. Videos circulating online show residents urging local officials, including the Komaram Bheem Asifabad Collector, to ensure their villages remain part of Telangana. Many have called for elected representatives to pass a resolution condemning Maharashtra’s move.

The villages have long benefited from dual governance, a remnant of Andhra Pradesh’s administration before Telangana’s formation in 2014. Residents hold voter IDs from both states and access welfare schemes from each, a setup they prefer due to Telangana’s robust programs, even under the former Bharat Rashtra Samithi government.

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Maharashtra’s claim hinges on historical revenue records, while Telangana’s control is backed by the KK Naidu Commission’s ruling favoring Andhra Pradesh. The dispute remains unresolved in the Supreme Court, with only Parliament holding the power to alter state boundaries.

Telangana’s opposition parties have slammed the Congress government’s “clueless” leadership, accusing it of exposing the state to territorial and water disputes. Critics note past instances where Maharashtra villages sought to join Telangana, drawn by its welfare initiatives, highlighting the irony of the current push.

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