Bhubaneswar: The Congress on Monday put up a major show of strength by organising a six-hour " chakka jam" in protest against the steep rise in price of petroleum prices.

For the past four years, the Congress has been in a moribund state in Odisha. Its call for an Odisha bandh on the Mahanadi dispute demanding the Centre's intervention to halting construction of barrages and dams over the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh on August 16, 2016, had failed to make an impact.

The party had failed to put up a united show with a section of its leaders led by former president Prasad Harichandan demonstrating in front of the secretariat and another led by Narasingha Mishra staging a protest near AG Square.

The story was different on Monday. Senior leaders were seen demonstrating in various parts of the twin cities from 6am till noon.

After a long time, senior leaders including Suresh Routray, were seen actively taking part in the agitation .

The youth Congress workers in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, who had so far shied away from various party activities, were seen participating in hundreds to make the " chakka jam" a success. They had also participated in the torch procession on Sunday.

Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik said: "The people have come forward and supported the chakka jam. The Congress workers and leaders are united to take up the various activities of the party."

BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said: "Being a national party, the Congress should put pressure on Delhi." BJP spokesperson Prithviraj Harichandan said: "The Congress should stop the practice of acting as a kridanaka (puppet) in the hands of the BJD."