Bhubaneswar, Aug 25: BJD with 51 MLAs constitutes a formidable opposition, said BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Sunday.
While inaugurating the orientation program for newly elected BJD MLAs here, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) said, "BJD with 51 MLAs constitute a formidable opposition. So we must not leave any stone unturned to use those devices for holding the government to account."
He said accountability of the govt 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 part of the several other legislative devices which should be used effectively by all of you to hold the government to account. Besides you should take full use of zero hour in raising various issues of public intrest," Patnaik advised the legislators.
On the reason for the BJD boycott of the training program organised in Assembly, the LoP said, "The training program organised by the assembly had political connotation and didnt give the adequate respect and dignity to the chief minister in his own state. So the BJD withdrew from the training program organised by the Assembly."
He said, "Orientation programmes are organised for newly elected legislators to familiarise them with the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Assembly. Those rules have been framed not only for the smooth conduct of business of the House but more importantly to hold the Government to account. Thus you have to be wellversed with rules,producures, parlimentary conventions, traditions, to discharge your duties as a legislator properly"
"Many of you have been MLAs for several terms and some even had the opportunity of serving as Minsters. You have the experience of functioning as legislators in the Assembly. That experience will help you a lot in holding the Government to account. You should also guide the new comers," he said.
