Kataka: The Orissa High Court on Friday heard two of the eight petitions filed by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) challenging the Odisha Assembly Speaker’s decision to reject pleas seeking disqualification of eight party MLAs over alleged cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.

The court directed Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, who has been made a party in all the petitions, to file her response before September 29.

The matter will come up for further hearing on September 29.

BJD had moved HC against Speaker’s decision

The BJD had moved the High Court against the Speaker’s decision to reject its petition seeking disqualification of eight MLAs. The party alleged that the legislators had violated the party whip during the Rajya Sabha elections held on March 16.

BJD chief whip and senior party leader Pramila Mallik had filed the petition in the High Court, challenging the Speaker’s decision.

Mallik had alleged that the Speaker rejected the disqualification plea without giving the Opposition an opportunity to present its case.

The BJD had earlier approached the Speaker seeking action against eight MLAs, alleging that they had engaged in cross-voting and acted against the party’s directive.

Speaker had rejected pleas in June

The BJD and Congress had separately sought the disqualification of 11 MLAs over alleged cross-voting in the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections and violation of their respective party whips. Of these, eight were BJD MLAs, and three belonged to the Congress.

In June, Speaker Surama Padhy rejected the petitions, citing deficiencies in the documents and lack of adequate verification and supporting evidence.