Bhubaneswar, Apr 3 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday attacked central leaders of opposition parties, saying that they appear in the state only during elections.

"Where were they when cyclones like Phailin, Hudhud, Titli and even drought hit Odisha? Now it's election time, they are visiting the state seeking votes," he said as he hit the campaign trail for Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in his home district Ganjam.

Questioning the Narendra Modi government about its promises of two crore jobs in a year, the special category status for the state, Women's Reservation Bill and farmers' insurance, he said: "Now the top BJP leaders are shedding crocodile tears."

Patnaik, who launched the election campaign in a specially designed hi-tech bus, said that the "4.5 crore Odias are my family. I am always with you and will be with you".

The BJD has declared candidates for all the state's 21 Lok Sabha seats. Out of 147 Assembly seats, it is yet to declare candidates for three.

Odisha will face Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.