India, Sept. 18 -- The Orissa High Court on Friday heard two of the eight petitions filed by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) challenging the Odisha Assembly Speaker's decision to reject pleas seeking disqualification of eight party MLAs over alleged cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.

The court directed Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, who has been made a party in all the petitions, to file her response before September 29.

BJD had moved HC against Speaker's decision The BJD had moved the High Court against the Speaker's decision to reject its petition seeking disqualification of eight MLAs. The party alleged that the legislators had violated the party whip during the Rajya Sabha elections held on March 16.

BJD chief whip and senior par...