Bhubaneswar, 22 June (H.S.): In a significant political development and a major setback for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy has rejected the party’s petition seeking the disqualification of eight of its MLAs over alleged cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections held earlier this year.

According to an official notification issued by the Odisha Legislative Assembly Secretariat on June 19, the Speaker dismissed the petitions filed by BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik on April 25, in which the party had sought action against the legislators for allegedly violating the party whip during the March Rajya Sabha polls.

The MLAs named in the petition were Debi Ranjan Tripathy, Souvic Biswal, Ramakanta Bhoi, Naba Mallik, Subasini Jena, Chakramani Kanhara, Arvind Mohapatra, and Sanatan Mahakud.

Invoking the anti-defection provisions, the BJD had urged the Speaker to declare the eight legislators disqualified from the Odisha Legislative Assembly. However, after examining the petitions and relevant legal provisions, Speaker Padhy concluded that the submissions failed to meet the statutory requirements necessary for adjudication.

In her order, the Speaker observed that the petitions were “cryptic, vague and unsubstantiated” and lacked the essential particulars required for consideration under the law. The order further stated that the petitions suffered from “gross infirmities” and did not warrant further examination on merit.

The ruling effectively allows all eight legislators to retain their membership in the Assembly and marks a significant legal and political victory for the MLAs concerned.

The decision comes against the backdrop of allegations of cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections, which had sparked intense political debate within Odisha and raised questions over party discipline and loyalty among elected representatives.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda