Bhubaneswar, 21 March (H.S.) : The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has suspended six of its MLAs for alleged anti-party activities, including cross-voting in the recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections. The action was taken by party president Naveen Patnaik with immediate effect following recommendations from the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC).

According to an official order issued by the party, the decision came after show-cause notices were served to the legislators by the Chief Whip, followed by a review of their responses by the BJD Disciplinary Committee. The PAC, after due deliberation, found their actions in violation of the party’s core principle of maintaining absolute loyalty to collective decisions.

The suspended MLAs are Chakramani Kanhar (Baliguda), Naba Kishore Mallick (Jayadev), Souvic Biswal (Choudwar-Cuttack), Subasini Jena (Basta), Ramakanta Bhoi (Tirtol), and Devi Ranjan Tripathy (Banki).

Party sources said that all six legislators voted in favour of BJP-backed Independent candidate Dilip Ray instead of supporting the BJD-Congress joint candidate, Dr Datteswar Hota, in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Reacting to the development, BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik stated that the party would initiate legal proceedings against the suspended MLAs. She also said that the party would approach the Assembly Speaker seeking their disqualification.

The move underscores the party’s firm stance on maintaining internal discipline and adherence to its official line during crucial elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda