On the eve of the Rajya Sabha polling, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has directed two of its suspended legislators to adhere to the party whip and vote in favour of its authorised candidate.
Pramila Mallik, the Chief Whip for the Opposition, issued separate letters to Sanatan Mahakud (Champua MLA) and Arvind Mohapatra (Patkura MLA). She reminded them that despite their current suspension for alleged anti-party activities, they are constitutionally obligated to follow the party’s direction because they were elected under the BJD symbol.
Mallik emphasised in the letters that the regional party has issued a mandatory whip instructing all members to support the BJD’s designated candidate in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha election.
The party further clarified that both suspended leaders must strictly comply with this directive. It further warned that any deviation, including voting against the whip or abstaining without prior authorisation, could trigger disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which views such actions as voluntarily resigning from the party.
Mallik stated, “Any act of voting contrary to the party whip, or abstaining from voting without prior permission of the party, may attract the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, including disqualification on the ground that the member has voluntarily given up the membership of the political party.”
To underscore the gravity of the situation, she cited the legal precedent of Sharad Yadav’s disqualification by the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld this decision.
The communication also suggested that the leadership would view compliance favourably when deciding whether to lift the suspension of the two lawmakers.
Mallik added, “The party expects that you will honour the mandate on which you were elected and comply with the party whip. Compliance with the party direction will also be taken into consideration by the party leadership while reviewing the matter relating to your suspension.”
As the polls approach on March 16, this strategic move signals the BJD’s determination to consolidate its vote share and enforce strict discipline, even among its sidelined members.
Both Mahakud and Mohapatra have been under suspension since January of this year following allegations of involvement in activities detrimental to the party’s interests.
