Bhubaneswar, March 21 -- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the principal opposition party in Odisha, on Saturday suspended six of its MLAs with immediate effect for alleged anti-party activities, including cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
The action was taken following recommendations of the party's disciplinary committee and a decision of the Political Advisory Committee, according to an order issued by BJD president Naveen Patnaik.
Earlier, Chief Whip Pramila Mallik had served show-cause notices to the legislators, accusing them of defying the party line during the Rajya Sabha polls.
In their replies, the MLAs termed the notices "illegal, arbitrary, baseless and unconstitutional," and warned of legal action if they were not w...