Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday formed a ‘shadow cabinet’ with 50 of its MLAs and assigned them various government departments under the BJP regime. They have been asked to closely watch their activities and raise issues pertaining to them in the Odisha Assembly.
“The departments have been allotted to the MLAs for close monitoring, assembly interventions and other issues relating to department,” an office order said.
The “shadow cabinet” move is being seen as an attempt by the BJD to put up a strong counter to the BJP government in the Assembly while functioning as a vigilant and constructive Opposition. “The Opposition works as a watchdog of public interests in a democracy. By keeping a close watch on the performance of various departments of the state government and actively participating in the discussions related to them in the Assembly, it can help protect the rights of the people of the state as well as voice their concerns. Accordingly, LoP Naveen Patnaik has given responsibility to 50 elected members of BJD to monitor various programmes of the departments,” a BJD release further stated.
Besides keeping a check on the BJP government of Mohan Majhi, it is also aimed at keeping the party united after being booted out of power for the first time in 24 years.
The first session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly is set to commence on July 22 with Odisha Governor Raghubar Das’ address. The announcement in connection with the election of the Deputy Speaker and the discussion on the Motion of thanks on the Governor’s address will take place on July 23. The Odisha budget for 2024-25 will be presented on July 25.
While the BJP formed its maiden government in Odisha by winning 78 of 147 seats in the Assembly elections, the Naveen Patnaik-led party, which had in 2019 won 113 seats, could manage to get only 51 seats followed by Congress with 14 seats, CPI(M) one seat and Independents three seats.
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