The Government braces for its first test in Parliament with the issues like price rise, hike in rail fares, women safety and communal flare-up in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad likely to dominate. Congress may up its confrontation with the ruling BJP to push its case for the post of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Trinamool Congress and Left parties have said they will seek a discussion on inflation, internal security and federalism after the presentation of the Rail and General budgets. The Government will also make a statement in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the plight of Indians in strife-torn Iraq.

Participating in a panel discussion organised by News Services Division of All India Radio, yesterday, Mr. Tarun Vijay, BJP MP has said that the General budget to be presented by the Government will be poor-centric with the aim to strengthen infrastructure and promote foreign direct investment.

The Congress spokesman, Brijesh Kalappa indicated that his party will take up the issue of recognition of the role of the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Ritabrata Banerjee, CPI (M) Member of Parliament said the party will demand to put an immediate ban on all types of speculative trading to check price rise besides raising the issue of unethical comments made by a law-maker in West Bengal.