Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday urged the MLAs to maintain democratic decency while expressing any opposition in the Assembly.

“Democratic dissent is a right. However, while exercising this right, MLAs must not forget democratic decency. At no circumstances, democratic dissent should cast a shadow on democratic decency,” Patnaik said while inaugurating a two-day orientation programme for MLAs organised by the OLA in collaboration with Lok Sabha Secretariat here on the day.

“A country of many diversities, India’s democracy continues to get stronger by each passing year. The roots of our successful democracy lie in our people and their unflinching faith in democratic values. They are the real masters in a democracy. I believe every elected representative must understand this. In whatever position you may be, the people are supreme. Therefore, elected representatives should keep the common people at the centre of all their initiatives,” he said.

Stating that the primary function of a legislature is to make laws, the Chief Minister  said an appetite for information and education on legislative procedures and understanding of socioeconomic issues and policies will certainly help.

“All our Acts and policies are essentially directed at greater public good. The MLAs should also endeavour to bring the Acts and policies to public domain so that people can be real partners in the process of change,” he maintained.

He said the most significant point for a people’s representative is that he or she must lead by example.

“Simplicity should be at the core of our public behaviour. Leading a simple life can help us connected to people,” he added.

The programme was presided over by Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro. Among others, Deputy Speaker Rajanikanta Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Nayak, Government Chief Whip Pramila Mallick, Director of PRIDE Lok Sabha Pullin Bhutia and OLA Secretary Dasarathy Satpathy spoke on the occasion.