Modi Government's First Big Test in Parliament as Budget Session Begins Today

New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government faces its first test in Parliament as the Budget Session begins today and the Opposition seems to have closed ranks to attack it primarily on the issue of rise in prices of essentials. (Live Blog)

"The Opposition demands discussion on price rise on day one," said the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Malikarjun Kharge this morning. "Inflation, prices of essential commodities will be an issue to be taken up in Parliament," said Janata Dal (United) leader Ali Anwar. (Delhi Congress to Protest Rail Fare Hike Outside Parliament on Monday)

The government is clear that it is heading into the five-week session with a focus on passing Budgets and says it is happy to discuss anything. "The priority for the government is to pass the Rail Budget and the General Budget by July 31, before the interim Budgets expire," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu told NDTV, while traveling on the Delhi metro from the airport to his residence.

He added, "We are ready to discuss each and everything... if they want to have discussion (on price rise) it will boomerang on them."

The BJP alleges that the current economic problems are of the previous Congress-led UPA government's making. "We ave inherited a bad economic situation," Mr Naidu said, hinting at tough measures when he said, "We'll take bold steps if necessary." (Inherited a Very Bad Situation: Venkaiah Naidu to NDTV)

He met leaders of all parties this morning to discuss House agenda. "45 leaders from various parties were there, they all showed happiness. All parties are committed towards functioning of house. The government has no reservation on any issue, are willing to discuss each issue based on its national importance," Mr Naidu said after the meeting.

While the BJP-led NDA government has a big majority in the Lok Sabha, the worry for it is the Rajya Sabha, where it does not have the numbers and can ill-afford having the Opposition unite on key issues. Bills have to be passed by both Houses to become law.

The Congress wants to secure the post of Leader of Opposition, for which it does not technically qualify with 44 MPs. But Mr Kharge said that issue "we will take up later." (Pampering BJP's Ego Won't Do Justice: Congress on Leader of Opposition's Post)

Mr Naidu said the Congress had not brought up the demand yet, but did point out that the precedent stemmed from previous Nehru/Gandhi Congress regimes, which had no leaders of Opposition.

Apart from the Budget the government has lined up bills that have to be passed by Parliament soon because they were issued as ordinances.