Former chief minister and leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik asked the MLAs not to make any compromise while highlighting public issues.

Inaugurating the one-day orientation and interaction programme for the BJD MLAs at the party office on Sunday, Naveen said: “The people of Odisha have sent us to the Assembly. We will continue to fight for Odisha and the interests of the people of Odisha. There should be no compromise in highlighting public issues.”

He maintained that the BJD with 51 MLAs constitute a formidable Opposition. “So we must not leave any stone unturned to use all opportunities for holding the government to account,” the former chief minister said.

The BJD boycotted the two-day orientation programme for MLAs organised by the Odisha Legislative Assembly on July 17 and July 18, citing the "breach of protocol".

The party had opposed the Union ministers joining the training programme for MLAs conducted inside the House of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. The BJD was of the view that the presence of Union ministers inside the House of the Assembly undermines the position and dignity of the chief minister, who is considered the leader of the House. Union minister for parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju had inaugurated the orientation programme for MLAs. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh attended the valedictory session.

Raising the issue, Naveen said: “The training programme organised by the Assembly had political connotations and didn't give adequate respect and dignity to the chief minister in his own state. So the BJD withdrew from the training programme organised by the Assembly.”

Explaining the role of the Opposition, Naveen said: “Government in a democracy is of 'We the People' and Opposition also owes its mandate to 'We the People'. Therefore, the Opposition is as important as the government. To make the Opposition more effective in holding the government accountable, we need to be always vigilant and active. In fact, a vibrant Opposition is the best protector of democracy."

Naveen also cited why India preferred a parliamentary form of government, stating that in a parliamentary democracy, the government is accountable to the legislature, while the presidential form of government is based on the stability of the executive without making it answerable to the legislature.

He said: “That accountability of the government to the legislature is exercised by asking questions, moving several motions such as adjournment and no-confidence motion, Calling attention notice, special etc. These are among the several other legislative devices that should be used effectively by all of you to hold the government accountable. Besides you should make full use of zero hours in raising various issues of public interest."