Bhubaneswar: The Congress on Monday resorted to Gandhigiri by offering roses and chocolates and even appealing to people not to use their vehicles, as it was a protest against rise in petrol and diesel prices.

The strike was free of any major incidents of violence. The Congress also opened two helpline numbers at their state headquarters for people to report any incidents of violence or pitch in if they required help during the bandh.

PCC president Niranjan Patnaik said: "We facilitated movement of ambulances, patients and disabled by opening a control room and helpline at the PCC office. But, we feel sorry if people faced any problems during the bandh."

The strike also found an echo in the Assembly. Congress MLAs trooped into the Well, protesting against oil price hike. Speaker Pradeep Amat adjourned the House following the ruckus. BJD MLA Raseswari Panigrahi said: "The bandh was for a just cause." The BJD had organised demonstrations at petrol pumps across the state from September 7 to 9. The CPI, CPM, CPI-ML and SUCI workers, too, demonstrated all over the state.

BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty alleged that the BJD had extended support to the Congress-sponsored strike.

He said demonstrators vandalised banners of Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed at petrol pumps in the presence of police. The Congress workers were seen persuading officials and ministers to walk down to the state secretariat, but they did not stop anyone from going to their offices.

However, stray incidents of violence were reported from other parts of the state.