Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to skip a two-day orientation programme at the Odisha Assembly premises on August 17-18, citing protocol concerns.
In a letter to Speaker Surama Padhi, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik stated that inviting a Union Minister to inaugurate the event and address MLAs within the Assembly premises undermines the dignity and integrity of the House.
“While we would have been normally delighted to attend and cooperate with you in the spirit of best legislative traditions, we have decided not to participate on account of our conscientious objections,” Mallik wrote.
The BJD objects to relegating the Chief Minister who is the Leader of the House, to a secondary role alongside a Central Minister. This, they argue, violates protocol and disrespects the CM in his State.
“CM is supposed to be ahead of the Central Ministers in our established system of protocol followed by the government in all functions held within the state. This is a significant violation of protocol and undermines the dignity of the CM in his own state,” the Opposition Chief Whip stated in her letter.
The party emphasizes the need to maintain the dignity, decorum, and integrity of the Odisha Legislative Assembly and its Leader. As a result, BJD MLAs will not attend the orientation programme.
Notably, the Union Minister Kiren Rijju has been invited the inaugurate the orientation Programme on August 17. Similarly, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh will grace the valedictory ceremony on August 18.
