Kataka: The Orissa High Court on Friday heard the petition filed by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) challenging the Assembly Speaker’s decision to reject pleas seeking disqualification of eight party MLAs over alleged cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.
After admission of the petition, the bench of Justice R K Patnaik initiated hearing and directed the respondents to file their reply. The next hearing has been fixed for September 29.
The court directed Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, who has been made a party in all the petitions, to file her response before September 29. The Assembly secretary and eight legislators, who are also parties, have been asked to submit their replies.
The BJD had moved the High Court against the Speaker’s decision to reject its petition seeking disqualification of eight MLAs. The party alleged that the legislators had violated the party whip during the Rajya Sabha elections held on March 16.
BJD chief whip leader Pramila Mallik had filed the petition in the High Court, challenging the Speaker’s decision. The petitioners had alleged that the Speaker rejected the disqualification plea without giving the Opposition an
The BJD had earlier approached the Speaker seeking action against eight MLAs, alleging that they had engaged in cross-voting and acted against the party’s directive.
The BJD and Congress had separately sought the disqualification of 11 MLAs over alleged cross-voting in the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections and violation of their respective party whips. Of these, eight were BJD MLAs, and three belonged to the Congress.
It may be noted that Speaker Surama Padhy had in June rejected the petitions, citing deficiencies in the documents and lack of adequate verification and supporting evidence.