Odisha MLA Disqualification Row: High Court Issues Notices to 5 Legislators, BJD Welcomes Move
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha political landscape witnessed a significant development after the Orissa High Court issued notices to five MLAs in connection with a disqualification dispute arising from alleged cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections.
The move has been welcomed by the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which termed the court’s intervention a positive step toward ensuring accountability.
Senior BJD leader and Chief Whip Pramila Mallik said the High Court has sought an explanation from the five legislators on why their Assembly membership should not be terminated.
The party had earlier filed petitions seeking action against several MLAs, alleging that they had violated party directives and engaged in anti-party activities during the Rajya Sabha polls.
According to the BJD, petitions seeking the disqualification of eight legislators were submitted before the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
However, the Speaker reportedly rejected the petitions, citing procedural grounds.
The party challenged the decision before the Orissa High Court, arguing that the rejection was arbitrary and failed to address the substantive allegations.
Following the legal challenge, the High Court first issued notice to the Speaker and has now extended the proceedings by issuing notices to five MLAs involved in the matter.
The development is being viewed as a crucial step in the ongoing legal battle over the interpretation and application of anti-defection provisions.
Pramila Mallik also criticised remarks reportedly made by the Advocate General regarding the case, describing them as inappropriate.
She maintained that the focus should remain on the allegations of cross-voting and party indiscipline rather than procedural objections.
Reaffirming the party’s faith in democratic institutions, the BJD expressed confidence in the judicial process and said it would continue to pursue the matter through constitutional and legal channels.
The High Court’s intervention has added a new dimension to the politically sensitive dispute, with the outcome expected to have implications for party discipline and legislative accountability in Odisha.
