Orissa High Court on Friday directed the opposing parties to file their replies by September 29 regarding a petition seeking to disqualify eight BJD MLAs for alleged cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Sankha Bhawan, senior BJD leader and MLA Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo asserted that the eight lawmakers have lost the moral and legal right to continue as people’s representatives.
He emphasised that permitting MLAs who violated the party whip during the crucial Rajya Sabha polls to remain in office poses a direct challenge to the nation’s democratic system.
Dr Sahoo highlighted that under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (Anti-Defection Law), any elected legislator who disobeys a party whip and cross-votes is subject to disqualification from assembly membership.
He noted that while the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly holds the authority to decide on such matters, the BJD’s initial petition seeking their disqualification was rejected.
The regional party accused the state government of adopting a delay-tactic policy to shield the defiant legislators. Following the Speaker’s rejection, the BJD moved the High Court challenging the decision.
Taking up the matter on Friday, the court issued instructions for the opposite parties to submit their responses ahead of the next hearing on September 29.
