The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has intensified its disciplinary sweep, suspending six additional MLAs for defying the party whip during the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
Chief Vigilance Officer Pramila Mallick announced the suspension of Chakramani Kahur, Nab Kishore Mallick, Sauvik Biswal, Subashini Jena, Ramakant Bhoi, and Devi Ranjan Tripathi.
The group allegedly voted for independent candidate Dilip Roy, bringing the total number of suspended BJD legislators to eight.
Tensions escalated when the MLAs issued a defiant counter-reply to show-cause notices, threatening criminal action against the Chief Minister if the notices weren't withdrawn—an act labeled as contempt of the Supreme Court and Election Commission.
The BJD may now move to have their assembly seats reassigned. This follows similar strict action by Congress, which recently suspended three of its own MLAs—Sophia Firdos, Ramesh Jena, and Dashrathi Gamango—for cross-voting.