Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to six of its MLAs for allegedly defying party directions and cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 held on March 16.
The notices were issued by Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik to Chakramani Kanhar (Baliguda), Naba Kishore Mallick (Jayadev), Souvic Biswal (Choudwar-Cuttack), Subasini Jena (Basta), Ramakanta Bhoi (Tirtol), and Devi Ranjan Tripathy (Banki).
According to the notice, the legislators allegedly violated the party’s official direction and the decision taken during the BJD Legislature Party meeting held on March 15. The party leadership termed their conduct a “grave breach of discipline” and a “betrayal of trust.”
The notice further stated that it has been “conclusively established” that the MLAs voted in favour of a candidate not supported by the BJD. It cited the mandatory display of marked ballots to the party’s authorised agent as evidence, leaving “no scope for dispute” regarding their voting pattern.
Calling the act “gross indiscipline” and “prejudicial to party discipline,” the BJD asserted that such conduct amounts to voluntarily giving up membership of the party under its constitution.
The MLAs have been asked to submit their replies within three days, by 5 PM on March 20, explaining why disciplinary action—including suspension—should not be initiated against them. The party also warned of possible legal and constitutional proceedings on grounds of voluntarily relinquishing party membership.
The notice added that failure to respond within the stipulated deadline would result in ex-parte action, with the party proceeding as deemed appropriate under its constitution and rules.
The development signals a strong stance by the main opposition party in Odisha to enforce internal discipline in the aftermath of the Rajya Sabha elections.
