Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court on Thursday issued notices to five BJD MLAs in a case filed by the party seeking their disqualification for allegedly defying party whip and cross-voting in March 16 Rajya Sabha elections.
Justice M S Sahoo directed the MLAs – Arvind Mohapatra, Sanatan Mahakud, Chakramani Kanhar, Souvic Biswal and Subasini Jena, who has already been suspended from BJD – to file replies by December 4. The matter has been listed for hearing on merits on January 11, 2027.
The BJD had alleged that eight of its MLAs voted against party decision in Rajya Sabha elections. It had filed application before Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi seeking cancellation of their membership. The Speaker in June dismissed all petitions citing procedural flaws.
Challenging Speaker’s order, BJD chief whip Pramila Mallik moved High Court filing eight writ petitions. Five of them came up for hearing on Thursday.
BJD argued Speaker dismissed its petition without hearing its point of view. Earlier, High Court had issued notice to Speaker in this regard.
Advocate General Pitambar Acharya said Speaker had rejected BJD petition in June through detailed order. During previous hearing, petitioner had sought permission to withdraw writ petition and approach Speaker afresh, which was strongly opposed on behalf of Speaker.
BJD vice-president and Opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik, who filed petition on behalf of party, welcomed High Court notices but criticised AG’s statement.
“We have confidence in judicial process and party’s demand for fair and time-bound decision,” Mallik said, adding AG Acharya has given some political statement which is not expected from an advocate general.
Acharya had said BJD’s petition was rejected by Speaker as it lacked seriousness and proper procedure. It was alleged that eight BJD MLAs and three Congress MLAs had cross-voted in Rajya Sabha polls in favour of Dilip Ray, BJP-supported Independent candidate.
