By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 9, 2018: Even as Congress in Odisha is gearing up to make the country-wide bandh successful, the ruling party in the state, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and at the centre, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) respectively have opposed the strike saying it as a political drama.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik on Sunday flagged off an awareness campaign to make the shutdown successful. Hundreds of party workers joined a mass bike rally to promote the bandh call.

The party will observe the shutdown from 6 am to 3 pm in a peaceful manner.

“During the bandh, workers are being asked not to disrupt emergency services like ambulance, medical services and milk vehicles. Students appearing examinations will also not be stopped,” Patnaik told reporters.

“The ruling party should support the bandh for general interests and stay away from the House proceedings. It should not just limit itself to symbolic protest against the fuel price hike,” Patnaik said.

Prices of fuel continue to rise with petrol and diesel price getting hiked by 12 paise and 10 paise respectively as of Sunday. After the fall in value of Indian rupee to its lowest against US dollar and rise in crude oil prices, rates of petrol and diesel have witnessed multiple hikes. There is an increase in petrol and diesel rates at Rs 3.42 and Rs 3.84 per litre since mid-August.

The unabated rise in fuel prices has evoked sharp reactions from the general public who are suffering due to the situation.

The BJD on Sunday made it clear that it would not support the Bharat Bandh called by the Congress against fuel price rise on Monday.

However, the government has declared that schools will remain closed on Monday to ensure the safety of the students.

“We have been holding protests across the state since last three days to make the people aware about the steep price rise of the petroleum products. We are not supporting the Bharat Bandh,” said BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra.

The BJP criticised the bandh call given by Congress saying that it as a ‘politically-motivated’ move.

“We have been holding protests across the State since last three days to make people aware about the steep price rise of the petroleum products. However, we are not supporting the Bharat Bandh,” said BJD leader Samir Das.