Bhubaneswar, Mar 21: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has taken stern disciplinary action against six of its legislators for cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections.

In a significant move, the party suspended MLAs Souvic Biswal, Devi Ranjan Tripathy, Subasini Jena, Naba Kishor Mallick, Ramakanta Bhoi, and Chakramani Kanhar.

The decision was finalized during a meeting of the BJD’s Political Affairs Committee, and the announcement was made by Chief Whip Pramila Mallik.

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According to Mallik, the party will also write to the Speaker seeking cancellation of the membership of these six legislators.

Earlier, the BJD had issued show-cause notices to them for defying party instructions and engaging in what was described as “indiscipline” during the Rajya Sabha polls. The deadline for responding to the notices was Friday.

Devi Ranjan Tripathy, one of the suspended MLAs, strongly contested the notice, calling it baseless, unconstitutional, and without legal standing. He argued that party whips do not apply in Rajya Sabha elections, citing a Supreme Court judgment and Election Commission guidelines.

Tripathy accused the leadership of attempting to intimidate legislators through unlawful notices and warned of counter legal action if the notices were not withdrawn. Ramakanta Bhoi also submitted a similarly strong rebuttal.

The other four MLAs — Chakramani Kanhar, Naba Kishor Mallick, Souvic Biswal, and Subasini Jena — also responded to the notices, defending their actions.

However, the BJD leadership maintained that their conduct amounted to serious violation of party discipline. On March 17, Pramila Mallik had issued the notices, stating that voting against the party’s decision in the Rajya Sabha elections was disruptive and unacceptable.

This suspension marks one of the most significant disciplinary measures taken by the BJD in recent years. The move is expected to have wide political ramifications within Odisha, as the suspended MLAs weigh their next steps and possible legal challenges.