TNI Bureau: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to go on offensive and announced ‘Odisha Bandh’ on May 31 to protest against the petrol price hike. The BJP-led NDA has also called for a Bharat Bandh on the same day.

The BJD has strongly opposed the Rs 7.50 per litre hike in petrol prices, which had taken a heavy toll on the common people. BJD leader and Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei has asked all leaders an cadres of the BJD to organise rallies and meetings at the district and block level to make ‘Odisha Bandh’ a big success.

Apart from the BJD, the BJP, Left, Samajwadi Party and other parties have also called for a bandh on May 31. It is believed that that the bandh will bring the normal life into a complete halt in the state, including capital Bhubaneswar.

Most offices and institutions will have thin attendance, while it is advisable for the people not to venture out on that day because of the strike, which will force the buses, taxis and autos to stay off the roads.