Rourkela, Feb. 14: A two-day training programme and youth convention of the BJD began here today, a month after the party successfully organised its biggest show of strength, a students convention, in Bhubaneswar.

The convention in the city assumes significance as it comes in the wake of the BJD's image getting seriously dented followingthe CBI investigation into the money deposit collection scam. The choice of Rourkela is important as it is a part of Sundargarh district, which is gradually turning into a BJP bastion.

While BJP MLA Dilip Ray represents the Rourkela seat, Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram, the lone BJP MP from the state, represents the Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat.

BJD supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik will attend the youth convention tomorrow, on its concluding day. Youth leaders from of the party reached at the city to attend the party's youth convention.

Addressing the session, BJD's ministers, MLAs and other leaders came down heavily on the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

Health and family welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said: 'The constitution attaches importance to federalism and also speaks of the empowerment of states. But, our state is being constantly ill treated by the Centre, irrespective of which party is ruling in Delhi. The present NDA regime has no sympathy for Odisha.'

BJD youth wing president and food supply and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Das Burma talked about the wrongdoings of the Centre and achievements of the stategovernment. He was also critical about the Centre's ordinance on mining. 'We will lose around Rs 30,000 crore per annum because of this. We are not even getting fair treatment in the railway sector,' he said.

Making a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narenedra Modi, BJD senior leader and Athgarh MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain said: 'A person ruling a country like India ought to be much more large heated. The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should shed their arrogance or elsethey will be swept away from power,' he said.

'The ordinance on mines is meant for the benefit ofthe rich and the corporate sector. We will oppose it at all levels,' saidSwain. Other speakers were also critical of the Centre's neglect of the state.