BHUBANESWAR: BJD leader Naveen Patnaik on Sunday urged his party’s MPs to leave no stone unturned and use the legislative process to hold the government accountable as the regional body has a formidable 51-member opposition.
Inaugurating the orientation programme organised by the BJD for its MPs at Sankha Bhawan here, the former chief minister and leader of the opposition said there should be no compromise in highlighting public issues. “The people of Odisha have sent us to the assembly and we should continue our struggle to protect their interests,” he added.
The BJD chief said the opposition must always be vigilant and actively hold the government accountable. Quoting BR Ambedkar, Naveen said in a parliamentary democracy, the government is accountable to the legislature and this accountability is exercised by asking questions, moving adjournment and no-confidence motions and issuing notices of attention. “These are some of the numerous other legislative tools that should be used effectively by all of you. Also, you should make full use of the zero hour to raise various issues of public interest,” he told the MPs.
Naveen said MPs should also understand how to work in the committees, known as mini-assemblies. He said orientation programmes would be organised for newly elected MPs to familiarise them with the rules of procedure and the conduct of business in Parliament. He advised them to familiarise themselves with the rules, procedures, parliamentary conventions and traditions to be able to discharge their duties as MPs.
The opposition leader said that the BJD did not participate in the training programme organised by the assembly as it was a political matter and the chief minister of his own state was not given due respect and dignity.
The assembly had organised a two-day orientation programme for MPs on July 17 and 18. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the programme while Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh was the guest of honour at the valedictory session. Both the BJD and the Congress had boycotted the programme.
