The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress suffered a major setback after Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy rejected their petitions seeking disqualification of 11 MLAs over alleged cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections.
The Speaker dismissed the applications, stating that the petitions submitted by both parties were incomplete and lacked sufficient facts and evidence. The rejected pleas involved eight BJD MLAs and three Congress MLAs.
According to Speaker Surama Padhy, the applications did not contain the required supporting documents. The enclosure papers attached with the petitions were not properly signed, and the required affidavits verifying the petitions were also not submitted. She said the petitions were rejected due to the absence of proof and factual evidence as per Rule 6, Sub-Rule 6 and 7.
The Rajya Sabha elections were held in March this year, following which allegations of cross-voting were raised against 11 MLAs. The BJD had accused eight of its MLAs of voting against the party line and demanded cancellation of their Assembly membership.
The BJD MLAs named in the petition included Souvik Biswal, Debi Ranjan Tripathy, Chandramani Kanhar, Subhashini Jena, Naba Kishore Mallik, Ramakanta Bhoi, along with suspended party MLAs Sanatan Mahakud and Aravinda Mohapatra. The party had approached the Speaker seeking action against them.
The Congress had also filed a petition seeking disqualification of three of its MLAs — Sofia Firdous, Ramesh Jena and Dasarathi Gamang — alleging that they had cross-voted during the election.
All the concerned MLAs had appeared before the Speaker and presented their side.
Reacting after the dismissal of the BJD petition, MLA Aravinda Mohapatra criticised the party’s move and called it a “mistake”. He said that they had voted according to their own choice and that cross-voting in a Rajya Sabha election does not automatically lead to disqualification. He alleged that the BJD was trying to remain in public discussion through such actions.
BJD MLA Debi Ranjan Tripathy had earlier openly admitted voting for BJP-supported Rajya Sabha candidate Dilip Ray. He said he supported Ray because of his association with the legacy and ideals of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
After the cross-voting controversy, the BJD had issued show-cause notices to six MLAs. In his reply, Tripathy strongly criticised the notice issued by BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, calling it baseless and unconstitutional.
Citing a Supreme Court judgment, Tripathy had argued that party whip provisions do not apply in Rajya Sabha elections and accused the party of violating Election Commission guidelines. He also warned of legal action if the notice was not withdrawn.
Another BJD MLA Ramakanta Bhoi had also responded in a similar manner.
Souvik Biswal too had admitted to cross-voting, stating that he voted for the candidate who had the blessings of “Biju Babu”. He also expressed anger over past events involving his family and said his decision was influenced by those grievances.
The Speaker’s decision has now brought a new twist to the political controversy surrounding the Rajya Sabha election cross-voting issue in Odisha.