Bhubaneswar, Oct. 9: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today lashed out at the Centre for its step-motherly attitude towards Odisha.

Speaking at a public gathering at Buddhanagar slum in the city as part of BJD's Janasampark padyatra, Naveen said the state government was committed to fulfil its promises made in the election manifesto.

"Very soon, the housing scheme for all will be launched in the state. We are committed to our promises," he said.

Bhubaneswar (central) MLA Bijay Mohanty, popularly known as Badal, who was present at the event said the state was on a progressive path despite central negligence. "The residents of the state have full trust on the government and the state has been growing on all fronts during the past 15 years. The state government has launched several welfare schemes for the poor," said Mohanty.

The slum-dwellers expressed their joy and hoped that the government would take care of their problems. "We are very happy that the chief minister today visited our slum and we hope that he would solve our problems," said Basanti Rao, a resident.

The Janasampark padyatra programme, which started on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), will conclude on Jayprakash Jayanti on October 11. During the padyatra, BJD leaders would highlight the state government's achievements and the alleged negligence of the Centre towards Odisha.

On the other hand, the incident of a poor being pushed off by BJD workers during another party event at Sanakhemundi constituency in Ganjam district yesterday has drawn severe criticism from other political parties, including Congress. The man, who obstructed the rally of the BJD workers to convey his problem, was allegedly manhandled and later pushed aside.

"The BJD is claiming that the padyatra is aimed at reaching out to people and redress their problems but unfortunately, the party has failed to redress the problems of the poor. The way the poor man was treated only reflects that power has gone into the heads of the BJD workers," said a Congress leader.

However, Sanakhemundi legislator Nandini Devi denied the allegations and said that the aim of the padyatra is to reach out to the public. "I have not come across any such incident. The workers might have tried to stop the drunken man from creating nuisance," she said.