US EditionPolitical Turmoil: BJD Suspends Six MLAs for Cross-Voting
The Biju Janata Dal suspended six MLAs for cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election, reducing party strength to 42 in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, officials confirmed.
- On March 22, 2026, the Biju Janata Dal suspended six MLAs with immediate effect for cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha election, following endorsement by the Political Affairs Committee chaired by Naveen Patnaik.
- In last week's Rajya Sabha election, eight BJD MLAs defied the BJD whip and, with three Congress MLAs, backed Dilip Ray to win the fourth seat, while six legislators plus two suspended MLAs voted against Datteswar Hota.
- In their replies to show-cause notices, the six suspended MLAs denied wrongdoing and said they supported Ray as a political protest, with Tripathy criticising the leadership's perceived proximity to Congress and threatening legal challenge.
- Numbered consequences include the party’s reduced strength to 42 and legal steps, as BJD will seek membership cancellations and challenge voting irregularities, said Mallik.
- The episode signals a major internal crisis within the BJD, raising questions about cohesion and leadership strategy in the post-2024 political landscape of Odisha, while BJD accused BJP of "horse trading" and Congress suspended three MLAs for cross-voting.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Times of India
The Economic TimesBJD suspends 6 MLAs for cross-voting in RS polls, to seek disqualification from Odisha Assembly
The BJD has suspended six MLAs for cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections. This action follows a party meeting where the decision was made. The suspended legislators are accused of violating party discipline. The BJD plans to seek their disqualification from the Assembly.
The BJD has taken strong action and suspended six of its MLAs in connection with cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha. The party had initially issued notices seeking answers, but took action after failing to receive a satisfactory explanation.
BJD suspends four Odisha MLAs for cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday suspended six of its Odisha MLAs for cross-voting in the recently held elections to four Rajya Sabha seats from the state. The party led by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik cited anti-party activities by the legislators behind its decision, saying they were suspended based on the examination by BJD Disciplinary Committee. "Pursuant to the show cause notices issued by the Chief Whip, Biju Janata Dal (BJD)…
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