The monsoon session of the state assembly commencing from Monday will spell trouble for the ruling Congress and NCP combine as opposition parties -- Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS -- have joined hands to take the government to task over the failing law and order situation in the state.

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Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who has been under attack from the alliance partner NCP, will now have to face the aggressive opposition. It will determine the leadership ability of Chavan.

Against the backdrop of 13/7 serial blasts in Mumbai and intense power tussle between the Congress and the NCP, the opposition seems prepared to expose the malfunctioning within the Democratic Front government. The CM on Sunday expressed his disappointment over opposition p arties boycotting the customary tea party held to discuss issues in the session. “I wish the opposition parties had attended the meet to discuss bomb blasts. We are ready to allow debates on all  issues,” Chavan said.

The three-week long session will determine how well the political managers succeed in minimising the growing wedge between the ruling combine over functioning of the government. The leader of the opposition Eknath Khadse said, “Law and order will be the central issue in the current session. There is total break down in the law and order across state.”

Khadse said, “The problem is not confined to the role of home minister RR Patil. There is complacency and disconnect between the government and people. The government has no right to continue and people will teach them a lesson soon.”

Sensing the opposition’s belligerent mood deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has worked out a strategy to counter them. Pawar has indicated to the colleagues to turn the tables against the opposition by pre-empting their demands. Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, who was terribly upset with the poor performance of the MLAs in the last session, haswarned them to adopt a pro-active role.

To counter the Sena’s debate on anti-Jaitapur power plant and free houses for mill workers, the government has prepared its replies in advance. Chavan said, “The question of free houses does not arise. There was some ambiguity over the mill land availability.”