BJD suspends six MLAs for defying party’s whip in Rajya Sabha election

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) suspended six MLAs for defying party whip and voting against the party's candidate in the recent Rajya Sabha election. The decision was made by the party's Political Affairs Committee, which cited violations of the BJD constitution that mandates loyalty to collective decisions. Pramilla Mallick, Chief Whip (opposition), stated the party will fight a legal battle against the Election Commission of India's decision to provide a second ballot to BJP MLAs and seek their disqualification.