Bhubaneswar: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday asked young Odisha MLAs to strive to maintain decorum in the assembly and cautioned them against disruptions solely for the sake of gaining media attention.
Addressing the MLAs after inaugurating a two-day orientation programme for legislators christened ‘Gyana Sanskar Karyakram’ (knowledge reforms programme), Rijiju said, “Creating hungama (ruckus) inside assembly can make headlines for a few minutes.It won’t help for a long career.”
“I did not take class. I am not a teacher and they are not students. I just shared some tips and my experience,” he later told the media.
Speaking at the event, chief minister Mohan Majhi said the first and foremost duty of elected MLAs and MPs is to adhere to the provisions of the Constitution and make full use of the powers given to them by working diligently to fulfil the expectations and hopes of their constituents and keeping their dignity intact. “The cooperation of all, regardless of party affiliation, is needed,” he said.
Opposition BJD and Congress boycotted the event alleging it violated protocol and undermined the CM’s authority as Union minister Rijiju inaugurated it.
On the reasons behind BJD skipping the event, party’s deputy chief whip Pratap Keshari Deb said its inauguration by a Union minister in presence of the CM is violation of protocol though the party is not against any individual. He said BJD will hold a separate training programme for its first-time MLAs on Aug 25. “Senior party MLAs will address the session,” he said.
Congress chief whip C S Razen Ekka said though the orientation programme was a good move and his party colleague Tara Prasad Bahinipati had requested for it, they objected to the fact that in the presence of the CM and speaker, others were inaugurating it. “As per protocol, our CM is senior to the Union parliamentary affairs minister,” he said.
“While the BJP has been making loud noises about Odia Asmita, our govt is not able to give due respect to our chief minister. It was a happy moment when a tribal became the CM. Congress is for Odia pride. That’s why we are boycotting it,” he said.
There are 84 first-time MLAs in the 147-member House. The first-timers include 54 out of 78 of BJP MLAs, 18 out of BJD’s 51 MLAs, nine out of 14 Congress MLAs and three Independents.
Leader of the opposition Naveen Patnaik, senior BJD member and eight-time MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain and former law minister and former Congress MLA Narasingha Mishra, among others, were invited to speak during the event. But they decided to skip.
“The list of invitees is overloaded with BJP functionaries. Public impression is that it’s a BJP event. Congress has already announced to boycott it. Being a Congressman, it will be difficult for me to address,” Mishra told TOI.
MLAs who attended the event termed it very useful. “It will a memorable day. Senior members shared their valuable experiences which will go a long way in understanding the nuances of parliamentary traditions,” said Irasis Acharya, BJP MLA from Bhatli.