Bhubaneswar: A day after cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to six of its MLAs for violating the party whip.

The notices have been served to Chakramani Kanhar (Baliguda), Naba Kishore Mallick (Jayadev), Souvic Biswal (Choudwar-Cuttack), Subasini Jena (Basta), Ramakanta Bhoi (Tirtol), and Devi Ranjan Tripathy (Banki).

The notices, issued with the approval of party president Naveen Patnaik and signed by Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, term the cross-voting as a “grave breach of party discipline” and a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by the party.

The MLAs have been asked to submit their replies by 5 pm on March 20, 2026, explaining why disciplinary action, including suspension from the party should not be initiated against them. The notice also seeks clarification on why legal and constitutional proceedings should not be pursued.

The party stated the MLAs had violated its directive and decisions taken during the BJD Legislature Party meeting held on March 15. It further noted such conduct amounts to gross indiscipline and indicates the members may have voluntarily given up their party membership on whose ticket they were elected.

The notice warns failure to respond within the stipulated time will be treated as having no explanation to offer, following which the party may proceed ex parte and take appropriate action as per its constitution and rules.