Odisha Speaker Rejects BJD, Congress Petitions to Disqualify 11 MLAs for Cross-Voting in Rajya Sabha Polls

Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy dismissed disqualification petitions from BJD and Congress against 11 MLAs accused of cross-voting in the March 2026 Rajya Sabha election. The Speaker cited procedural flaws, lack of evidence, and non-compliance with anti-defection rules. Both opposition parties plan to challenge the decision legally.

Quick Facts

Rejected disqualification petitions
Cross-voting in Rajya Sabha election
Violated party whip
Voted for BJP candidate
Assembly Speaker ruled petitions defective

In a major setback for opposition parties in Odisha, Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy has dismissed separate petitions from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress seeking the disqualification of 11 of their MLAs for alleged cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha election held on March 16, 2026. The Speaker ruled that the petitions were procedurally defective, lacking essential facts and proper affidavits as required under the anti-defection law.

The petitions, filed by BJD’s chief whip Pramila Mallick against eight of its MLAs and by Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam against three of its MLAs, claimed the lawmakers had violated the party whip by voting in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate, Dilip Ray. The Speaker, however, found that the applications did not meet the mandatory requirements under rules 6(6) and 6(7) of the Odisha Legislative Assembly Members (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1987.

In a notification dated June 19, the Assembly secretariat stated that the BJD petition was “brief, vague, without concrete basis, and does not meet legal requirements, and therefore cannot be accepted for consideration on merits.” It added that the petition suffered from serious defects and appeared to have been filed with a clear ignorance of legal provisions, making it unworthy of consideration.

After examination, Padhy concluded that the evidence presented did not prove voluntary resignation or defection under paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. Addressing the media on June 22, she said the petitions were incomplete and lacked evidence. “The decision has been taken in accordance with the law,” she added.

While the ruling BJP welcomed the decision, both BJD and Congress criticised it and indicated they would explore legal options, including moving court. The development highlights the continuing political tensions in Odisha, where the BJP is in power and the opposition parties have been vocal against defections.

Topics

Politics

#BJP #Rajya Sabha #Surama Padhy #Odisha #Congress #BJD #cross-voting #anti-defection law #disqualification

Entities

Why This Matters

This ruling underscores the procedural strictness of anti-defection laws in Odisha, setting a high bar for disqualification petitions based on cross-voting. For political observers and stakeholders, it signals that vague or incomplete submissions will be rejected, potentially curbing frivolous disqualification attempts. It also reflects ongoing political friction between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, with broader implications for legislative discipline in India.

Timeline & Sources

Mar 16, 2026

Wire

Rajya Sabha election in Odisha; 11 MLAs cross-voted for BJP candidate Dilip Ray.

Jun 19, 2026

Wire

BJD and Congress filed disqualification petitions against the 11 MLAs.

Jun 22, 2026

Wire

Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy dismissed the petitions on procedural grounds.