Orissa HC seeks reply on BJD pleas over MLAs' alleged whip violation, cross-voting

Bhubaneswar, Sep 18 (UNI) The Orissa High Court on Friday sought the Odisha Assembly Speaker's response to BJD petitions challenging the dismissal of disqualification pleas against eight MLAs accused of defying the party whip and cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election. Justice R K Patnaik issued the direction while hearing two petitions filed by BJD chief whip Pramila Mallik, challenging the Speaker's orders dismissing disqualification pleas against MLAs Chakramani Kanhar and Subasini Jena. The matter will come up for further hearing on September 29, by which date the Speaker's response has been sought. Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, appearing for the…