Bhubaneswar: Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy has dismissed disqualification petitions filed by both the Congress and the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) against 11 MLAs accused of cross-voting and engaging in anti-party activities.
The Congress had sought action against its three legislators—Sofia Firdous, Ramesh Chandra Jena, and Dasarathi Gamango—alleging that they cross-voted during the Rajya Sabha elections held in March this year.
Similarly, the BJD had petitioned the Speaker to disqualify eight of its MLAs, accusing them of defying the party’s directive and supporting BJP-backed Independent Rajya Sabha candidate Dilip Ray. The legislators named by the BJD included Chakramani Kanhar, Naba Kishore Mallick, Souvic Biswal, Subasini Jena, Ramakanta Bhoi, Devi Ranjan Tripathy, Arvind Mohapatra, and Sanatan Mahakud.
Announcing her decision, Speaker Surama Padhy said the petitions failed to meet the procedural requirements prescribed under the law. She noted that the applications lacked sufficient facts and supporting evidence to justify disqualification proceedings.
According to the Speaker, the petitions were incomplete as the attached documents did not carry the required signatures. She further pointed out that mandatory verification and affidavits affirming the contents of the petitions were not submitted.
Citing non-compliance with Rule 6, Sub-Rules (6) and (7), which govern disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection framework, the Speaker concluded that the petitions could not be entertained.
With the rejection of all 11 petitions, the MLAs concerned have received temporary relief, while the issue is likely to remain a subject of political and legal debate in the state.
