Bhubaneswar: Ahead of its call for a " chakka jam" on Monday in the twin cities in protest against the steep rise in prices of petroleum products, the Congress on Sunday organised a torch rally in Bhubaneswar. In Cuttack, the party held a huge rally and urged people not to ply vehicles for six hours from 6am to 12noon on Monday.

Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik said: "The BJP-led government is playing with the sentiments of the people. The reduction of one paisa was a total mockery."

He said: "The people have responded to the call of the Congress and Monday's call would be a huge success. The people are completely disenchanted with the BJP government at the Centre."

At the same time, he also criticised the Odisha government on the issue and said: "The BJD is doing drama over the issue. Instead of reducing VAT on the petroleum prices, they are busy shedding crocodile tears."

Odisha now collects 26 per cent VAT on petroleum products. The state government has maintained it would not be possible to reduce VAT at the moment. "It will hit our revenue base. Let the Centre reduce the VAT on excise duties," said a senior government official.

Mahanadi issue

The BJP on Sunday slammed the BJD on the Mahanadi issue.

"We are ready to support the Odisha government on resolving the Mahanadi water dispute. But the BJD should not try to take credit and give an impression that the ruling party is concerned about the state," said senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan.

He said: "As the BJP is in power in Chhattisgarh and the Centre, it has always been easy for the BJD and Congress to target the state BJP unit over the Mahanadi issue. We are concerned about the issue. As the case is with the tribunal, the Prime Minister cannot interfere even if he wants to. It is only the Supreme Court that has the power to order an interim stay."