August 25th 2024.
On a sunny Sunday in Bhubaneswar, Naveen Patnaik, the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, gave a powerful and motivating speech to the newly elected Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLAs. He urged them to use all the legislative devices at their disposal to hold the government accountable for their actions.
The orientation and training program was attended by senior lawmakers of the regional outfit, making it a valuable learning experience for the new members. The two-day program, organized by the Odisha Assembly on July 17 and 18, was inaugurated by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh as the chief guest for the valedictory session.
However, the program was boycotted by the opposition parties, BJD and Congress, citing a "breach of protocol". In response, the BJD organized a separate training program for their newly elected MLAs at their party headquarters.
Patnaik explained that the assembly's program had political undertones and did not give adequate respect to the Chief Minister in his own state. Therefore, the BJD withdrew from the assembly's training program and organized their own.
In his speech, Patnaik emphasized the crucial role of the opposition in the legislative assembly. With 51 MLAs, the BJD holds a strong position as the opposition and must use all available devices to hold the government accountable. He reiterated that in a democracy, both the government and opposition owe their mandate to the people, making them equally important.
He urged the BJD MLAs to be well-versed in the rules, procedures, parliamentary conventions, and traditions to effectively fulfill their duties as legislators. Quoting BR Ambedkar, Patnaik reminded them that in a parliamentary democracy, the government is accountable to the legislature, unlike a presidential form of government where the executive is not answerable to the legislature.
Patnaik explained that holding the government accountable is achieved through various means such as asking questions, moving motions like adjournment and no-confidence, and calling attention to issues. He urged the new MLAs to make use of the zero hour to raise important issues of public interest.
He also stressed the importance of understanding how to function within various committees of the legislature, which are like mini-assemblies. He reminded the MLAs that they play a crucial role in scrutinizing bills referred to these committees.
In conclusion, Patnaik urged the BJD MLAs to be vigilant, active, and effective in their role as opposition members, as they are the best protectors of democracy. With their knowledge of legislative devices and dedication to their duties, they can ensure the government remains accountable to the people.
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