Bhubaneswar, June 22 (IANS) In a major setback to the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy has rejected separate petitions filed by the two parties seeking the disqualification of 11 legislators for allegedly voting in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed candidate during the biennial Rajya Sabha elections held in March this year.

Speaking to media persons, Speaker Padhy said on Monday that the applications were rejected as they had not produced sufficient facts as mandated under sub-rules 6 and 7 of Rule 6 of the Members of Odisha Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1987.

She added that the petitioners failed to file the requisite affidavit in support of the petition. Similarly, the annexures attached to the applications were not duly signed and verified.

These are mandatory provisions prescribed under Rules 6(6) and 6(7) of the Odisha Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1987. The application was dismissed under Rule 7(2).

The Speaker observed that the petitions were cryptic, vague, and unsubstantiated, failing to satisfy the legal requirements for adjudication on the merits.

The BJD and Congress had sought the disqualification of 11 legislators, eight BJD MLAs, including two suspended party legislators, and three Congress MLAs, for cross-voting in favour of BJP-supported candidate Dilip Ray during the Rajya Sabha polls, defying the whips issued by both parties.

The opposition parties strongly criticised the MLAs’ actions, calling them a serious breach of discipline and constitutional provisions. The rebel legislators were also accused of publicly speaking against the party leadership.

While the ruling BJP welcomed the decision, the opposition BJD and Congress criticised it, stating that they would explore legal options against the Speaker’s ruling.

–IANS

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