Tough times appear ahead for the government with about a dozen non-NDA, non-UPA parties meeting to finalise strategy for a cut motion against the finance bill to force rollback of the hike in prices of petroleum products.

The parties could also consider launching a nationwide action to protest government's "failure" to prevent rise in prices of essential commodities, probably a 'Bharat Bandh' in the last week of April.

A cut motion puts to test the strength of the government in the Lok Sabha.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav will attend the April 12 meeting along with Prakash Karat of CPM, A B Bardhan of CPI, Lalu Prasad of RJD and leaders of AIADMK, Telugu Desam Party, Biju Janata Dal, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Indian National Lok Dal, JD(S), Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party.