The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday welcomed the Orissa High Court’s intervention in the disqualification case involving its lawmakers, following cross-voting allegations during the Rajya Sabha elections.
Addressing a press conference at Shankha Bhawan, Senior Vice-President of BJD and Chief Whip of the party in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Pramila Mallik, revealed that the High Court has issued notices to five MLAs in the first phase, asking them to explain why their assembly membership should not be revoked.
According to Mallik, the BJD had previously filed formal petitions with the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly seeking the disqualification of eight BJD MLAs on grounds of cross-voting, strictly adhering to established rules. However, the Speaker dismissed the petitions unilaterally citing procedural errors—a move the BJD termed “arbitrary and politically motivated.”
Unsatisfied with the Speaker’s decision, the BJD approached the Orissa High Court. A month ago, the court accepted the petition and issued a notice to the Speaker, who subsequently sought additional time to file a response. In the latest development today, the court issued notices directly to five of the lawmakers, directing them to present their stance.
During the press meet, Mallik took strong exception to recent statements made by the Advocate General to the media regarding the matter, describing them as “laughable and condemnable.”
She stated that instead of offering remarks on the core issue—the anti-party activities and cross-voting by the MLAs—the Advocate General chose to comment on BJD’s initial petition filed before the Speaker.
Expressing full faith in the judiciary, Mallik voiced confidence that the legal process would reach a fair and timely conclusion. She reiterated that the BJD will continue to present all constitutional and legal aspects with due respect to established legal principles and democratic traditions.
