Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday strongly criticized Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy for rejecting the party’s petition seeking the disqualification of MLAs accused of cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, BJD Chief Whip and former Speaker Pramila Mallik, along with former Minister and MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo, alleged that the Speaker’s decision was against the spirit of the 52nd Constitutional Amendment and the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
The leaders claimed that the disqualification plea was dismissed because the MLAs in question had voted in favour of the BJP candidate. Mallik argued that legislators elected on a party ticket but voting against the party’s official stand were guilty of anti-party activities and should face disqualification. She cited the example of Himachal Pradesh, where MLAs were disqualified under similar circumstances.
Arun Kumar Sahoo alleged that eight BJD MLAs defied the party whip and supported the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. He maintained that the Speaker failed to properly adjudicate the matter in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Referring to the Tenth Schedule and various Supreme Court judgments, Sahoo said that an elected representative can be deemed to have voluntarily given up party membership not only through resignation but also through conduct that goes against the party’s interests.
Accusing the Speaker of ignoring these legal principles, Sahoo said the BJD is considering approaching the Orissa High Court and, if required, the Supreme Court to challenge the decision. The party leaders expressed hope that the Speaker would reconsider her stand on the matter.
