New Delhi:
The Congress-led UPA is likely to face heat in the Monsoon Session of Parliament which begins today. Seeking to corner the government, Opposition parties, led by the BJP, are planning to raise issues like the clashes in Assam, inflation, and drought in Parliament.
Clashes in Assam, which has led to over 60 deaths so far, could generate a lot of heat with both the Congress and the Opposition expected to indulge in charges and counter charges.
The Opposition parties have also given notice that they would raise the alleged spectrum and coal bloc allocation scams along with the controversial Aircel-Maxis deal and the handling of the Railway portfolio by Trinanmool Congress, especially in the context of the recent Tamil Nadu express accident.
Pune blasts and the collapse of the power grid in the North and the east are also amongst the issues that are likely to be raised.
With the monsoon playing truant in several parts of the country, the focus would also turn to the drought situation amid demands for a national water policy and a better deal for farmers.
The session will be a test for the new Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who has been made the Leader of the Lok Sabha following the exit of Pranab Mukherjee, who became the country's President last month.
(With inputs from PTI)