Dharmendra, Nadda Dropped From Guest List: Why Is BJD Rigid In Boycotting Odisha MLA Orientation Programme?

Bhubaneswar: Despite considerable softening of approach by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) sticks to its decision of boycotting the two-day orientation programme for the MLAs beginning on Saturday. Following boycott threat by BJD and Congress, changes were made in the schedule for the event. The names of Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and J P Nadda were dropped from the guest list. As per the modified schedule, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will be inaugurating the programme. Though the BJP tried to follow a flexible approach, the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party maintained that its legislators will not attend the event, terming it as a political programme. Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik has written to Assembly Speaker to convey the BJD decision.

Dharmendra, J P Nadda Dropped

The orientation programme is slated to begin on Saturday. Earlier, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was scheduled to inaugurate the event, while Health Minister and BJP president J P Nadda was to address the valedictory session. However, following opposition from BJD and Congress, the guest list was modified. As per the modified programme, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is slated to inaugurate the programme and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh will deliver the valedictory address. However, BJD has made it clear that its MLAs will stay away from the orientation programme.

Why Is BJD Opposing?

Senior BJD leader and opposition deputy chief whip Pramila Mallik in her letter to the speaker has cited two reasons for her party MLAs abstaining from the two-day programme.
Stating that the Odisha Assembly, like any other legislature in the country, has its own traditions and conventions, she said the House represents the collective wisdom of the people of Odisha and it is our responsibility to maintain the dignity and integrity of this August House.
As per those conventions, all functions held within the Assembly’s premises involve only those directly connected with it from Odisha Assembly /Odisha, the BJD leader said. “Inviting the Central Minister to inaugurate the programme and address the MLAs within Assembly premises goes against the established conventions of the dignity of the Assembly,” she said in the letter.

Citing another reason, she said the Chief Minister is the head of the government of Odisha and he is the Leader of the House. It is undignified to make the CM an ordinary speaker at the function within the Assembly premises. “Relegating the Chief Minister to a second-category functionary in a function within the Assembly premises undermines the state and the pre-eminence of the state as recognised in our federal set-up,” Mallik said in the letter.

The CM is supposed to be ahead of the Central Ministers in our established system of protocol followed by the government in all functions held within the state. This is a significant violation of protocol and undermines the dignity of the Hon’ble CM in his own state, the BJD leader said.
Congress Is Also

Apart from BJD, Congress has also announced its decision to boycott the MLA orientation programme, alleging that the government seeks to make it a political event. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam had stated that party MLAs will not attend the programme. However, following modification in the schedule and guest list, he said that the issue will be discussed by the party.

However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling has made it clear that the programme is being organised in according to the rules and procedures. While the programme will be held under the chairmanship of the Speaker, the Chief Minister will also be present. Similarly, veteran leaders like Ranendra Pratap Swain and Prafulla Ghadai are slated to address the participants, he added.

Deadlock Persists

As per the modified schedule, Speaker Surama Padhy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi and Minister Mukesh Mahaling are scheduled to attend the opening day of the event meant for new MLAs on Saturday. Union Minister Jual Oram, BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, former Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadai, Ranendra Pratap Swain and Narasingha Mishra are slated to address the two-day programme. The present Assembly has 84 first-time MLAs. Of them, 54 are from BJP, 18 from BJD and nine from Congress, while there are three independent legislators.