By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, October 2, 2015 : Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday launched its ‘Jansampark Padyatra’ – march for mass contact – on Friday to what it called “sensitise people in Odisha” about its various developmental initiatives in the state.

BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the padyatra here while the party leaders fanned out across the state to intensify the campaign. The march will continue till Jayaprakash Jayanti on October 11.

“We will try our best to fulfill promises made in the manifestos during the assembly and Lok Sabha elections,” said Patnaik.

Launching a tirade against the centre, Patnaik said, choking the flow of funds for certain central schemes would affect the people. However, he made it clear that his government would continue the schemes with the state’s resources.

At the same time, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party held ‘Satyagraha’ (non-cooperation movement) across 147 assembly constituencies of the state, highlighting what it alleged were the inefficiencies of the BJD government.

“The party is highlighting the development works of Narendra Modi-led central government and the failure of the state government,” said state BJP president K.V. Singhdeo.

With the chief minister attacking the Centre for alleged the neglect of the state, Singhdeo dared him for a debate on the issue. “We dare the chief minister to join a debate,” said Singhdeo.