BJD to boycott MLA orientation programme in Odisha Assembly

The Biju Janata Dal MLAs will not attend the two-day long ‘Digdarshan’ (orientation programme) programme, called by the Speaker, to be held in the Odisha Assembly from August 17-18, the Opposition party informed on Wednesday.

BJD has reportedly raised questions on the inauguration and conclusion of the training programme by two Union Ministers. 

As per the party, the training programme is generally conducted by the Speaker and inaugurated by the Chief Minister. Inauguration of the programme by another person in the presence of the Chief Minister will be a deviation from the tradition of the Assembly, the opposition party.

“The dignity of Odisha Chief Minister and Speaker should not be undermined. The way the programme has been planned seems as if it is a party programme of BJP. If the elected MLAs of BJP take part in the training programme in another room by taking permission from the Speaker then we have no issue. If any other person from outside the House addresses the Assembly in presence of the Chief Minister and the Speaker, it will hurt the dignity,” said Deputy Chief Whip of the Opposition party, Pratap Deb.

In response, the BJP said that the programme will be conducted under the chairmanship of the Speaker in the presence of the Chief Minister. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister has been invited as the guest and the programme will be conducted as per the rules and regulations of the Assembly.

“We will have two sessions on August 17 and 18. Seven-time MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain will have a speech on Parliamentary privilege, custom, convention and ethics. Former Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai will address on budget issues. We have invited Lok Sabha MP Bhartruhari Mahtab to share his experience with the newly elected MLAs. We have also invited former Minister Narasingha Mishra to address on legislative session. I hope that the orientation programme will be useful and inspirational for the newly elected and old MLAs,” said Odisha Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling.

Notably, the orientation programme is aimed at promoting a deeper understanding of the constitutional role of the lawmakers and making them familiar with operational mechanisms, parliamentary traditions, conventions and etiquette.