Opposition parties in Odisha — the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress — on Saturday boycotted the two-day orientation programme for the newly elected MLAs organised by the Odisha Assembly.

Both parties alleged that an attempt was being made to add political colour to the event by inviting the central BJP leaders to inaugurate them.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the orientation programme on Saturday. According to the previous schedule, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan was slated to attend the inaugural event of the orientation programme and Union minister J.P. Nadda was scheduled to be at the valedictory function.

Sources said following objections from the Opposition parties, both leaders refrained from attending the event. Sources said personal reasons were cited for not attending the programme.

Raising the issue, BJD MLA and chief whip Pramilla Mallik, in a letter to Speaker Surama Padhy, said: “The Odisha Assembly, like any other legislative body in the country, has its traditions and conventions. The Assembly represents the collective wisdom of the people of Odisha and it is our responsibility to maintain the dignity and the integrity of this August House.”

She cited that as per the conventions, all events held within the Assembly premises involve only those who are directly involved with the Odisha Assembly or Odisha.

“Inviting central ministers to inaugurate the programme and address the MLAs within Assembly premises goes against the established conventions and dignity of the Assembly,” she said.

Mallik 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.” Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and MLAs attended the programme on Saturday.

Inaugurating the programme, Rijiju said: “This is not a political function. The boycott has no meaning. This is an orientation programme for the newly elected MLAs
as well for the senior MLAs. The programme is being conducted by the Odisha Assembly and supported by the Parliament staff. This is an official function. The
political colour given to it will serve no purpose. It will adversely affect the newly elected MLAs.

He asked the MLAs to work hard, uphold the dignity of the House and not to make any “hungama” in the Assembly to stay in the limelight for two minutes. “For a long career, we need to do work hard and research. We need to keep the dignity of the House high.”

On the other hand, the BJD announced it would organise an orientation programme for its newly elected MLAs on August 25 at the party office, Sankha Bhawan. BJD MLA Pratap Deb said: “The government is doing its work in its way, keeping political considerations in mind. However, for our newly elected MLAs, the party will organise an orientation programme on August 25. Senior leaders will share their experiences with the new MLAs.”

Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said: “Political colour is being given to the programme.”

During the orientation programme, the newly elected MLAs are scheduled to learn about the budgetary process, how to ask Assembly questions and other procedures regarding House proceedings and established laws and norms.