Bhubaneswar: The two-day orientation programme for newly elected members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly began on Saturday with opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress boycotting the event.
Members of the two opposition political parties skipped the programme being held in Bhubaneswar terming it a political event of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
However, the ruling BJP has stated that the programme is not political at all and accused the opposition of hindering the MLAs’ participation by raising irrelevant issues.
The orientation programme, christened ‘Gyana Sanskara Karyakrama’, for newly elected MLAs was inaugurated by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and chaired by Speaker Surama Padhy.
The event was attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Deputy CMs Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, other Ministers and MLAs. Rijiju addressed the newly elected MLAs, providing guidance on their roles and responsibilities in the House.
Senior BJD leader and the party’s deputy chief whip in the Assembly Pratap Keshari Deb defended the decision to boycott the programme and said that traditions of the legislature must be respected.
The former Minister criticised the presence of the Union Minister as the chief guest at the function, arguing that it disrespects the Assembly Speaker and Chief Minister and undermines established norms.
Stating that BJD will organise a separate orientation session for its legislators on August 25, Deb told reporters that senior leaders and MLAs will train the newcomers.
Senior leaders are scheduled to provide training to the new MLAs on participating in Assembly proceedings and understanding the rules.
