Alleging the BJD Government’s involvement in the mining scam and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Congress Party is holding a 12-hour ‘Hartal’ or ‘Odisha Bandh’ across the state, but spared Bhubaneswar due to the BMC polls to be held tomorrow.

The Congress workers have staged protests and road blockade in many parts of Odisha. Buses and other vehicles have stayed off the road. In many areas, including Jatni and Khordha, the Congress workers stopped the train services too. All schools, colleges and business establishments across the state, remained closed.

In Bhubaneswar, the party just held a symbolic protest and the normal life was not affected. The Congress has threatened to intensify the agitation if the Chief Minister does not step down.