Bhubaneswar: All the three major political parties of the state - the Congress, BJP and the BJD - were on Saturday in protest mode both inside and outside the Assembly on various issues.

The Congress stalled the proceedings against the frequent price rise of petroleum products during the NDA regime, the BJP also raised its protest in the House over the alleged custodial death of an accused.

The BJD, on the other hand, staged a two-hour silent protest in front of the Reserve Bank of India office in the city and the nationalised bank branches at the district and block headquarters across the state in protest against cash crunch in bank ATMs.

The political parties have geared up as the general elections in the state is due early next year.

Raising the petroleum price hike, the Congress MLAs, led by the party chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, stormed the Well and tried to snatch the microphone of the Speaker, leading to adjournments.

Blaming both the Centre and the state government for the hike, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said: "While the BJP was in Opposition, it was shedding crocodile tears over the petroleum price hike. After coming to power, it has imposed several cess and raised the excise duty on the products. The BJD in the state has imposed 26 per cent VAT on petroleum products." He demanded the finance minister make a statement in the House.

The BJP members, on the other hand, were on their legs voicing protest over the alleged custodial death at Daspalla of Nayagarh district.

BJP MLA Rabi Narayan Naik alleged that Daspalla police had picked up one Kalia Kathua and tortured him in the custody. Later, they sprinkled kerosene over his body and set him on fire. Kathua, who was rushed to SCB in half-burnt condition, succumbed to burn injuries on Friday night. He sought a statement of chief minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue.

Outside the Assembly, the BJD staged protest in front of the Reserve Bank of India and other nationalised banks. However, the banks continued with their operations as usual as the demonstration was by and large peaceful.

Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Ranapratap Patra said: "The BJP-led central government has destroyed the entire banking system of the country. The unavailability of cash has led to a financial crisis-like situation for the general public. The ATMs are running dry, people from all walks of life are in a state of despair."

The BJP, on the other hand, staged protest in all the 113 urban local bodies of the state, highlighting failures of the state government to provide basic services to people. The urban local body election is due this year.