Bhubaneswar, March 17: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has on Tuesday issued show cause notices to six of its MLAs for voting in favor of BJP-backed Independent candidate Dilip Ray in the Rajya Sabha elections, accusing them of breaching party trust.

The notices were sent by BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik to Chakramani Kanhar, Naba Kishor Mallick, Souvic Biswal, Subasini Jena, Ramakanta Bhoi, and Devi Ranjan Tripathy. They have been asked to respond by 5 pm on March 20.

Mallik warned that failure to explain would lead to disciplinary action, in accordance with the party’s rules. The MLAs were accused of disregarding BJD’s directive and voting against the party's decision, undermining its discipline.

The notice questioned whether disciplinary measures, including suspension, should be imposed, as the MLAs’ actions appeared to indicate a voluntary resignation of their BJD membership.

The Rajya Sabha elections on March 16 saw BJP win two seats, BJD one, and Dilip Ray, supported by the BJP, secure a victory.