India, March 8 -- Senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra today stirred a fresh controversy by describing the integration of 'Kosal' region with Odisha as a historic blunder.

Mishra, a former Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly, was speaking at an event in Sambalpur during the disbursal of second installment of Subhadra Yojana for women.

"The people of Sambalpur should remember that Odisha as a separate state was formed due to the integration of Utkal, Kosal and Kalinga regions. Utkal region comprises only Cuttack, Puri and Balasore. It is not proper to hail only Utkal and forget Kosal and Kalinga regions," said the BJP MLA, who addressed the gathering soon after the recital of 'Bande Utkal Janani', the state anthem o...