Bhubaneswar: The Opposition will use the "deteriorating law and order situation" in the state to attack the BJD government during the budget session that commences here on Tuesday.

The focus will be on the violence that had rocked Bijepur during the recent bypoll, which the BJD had won amidst allegations of irregularities and use of money power.

"There has been complete lawlessness in the state. During the February 24 Bijepur bypoll, unprecedented violence was witnessed in the state, due to incompetence of the state police. There was a murderous attack on the brother of a minister and a BJD worker was killed. Even shoes were hurled at chief minister Naveen Patnaik at a public meeting. The police could do nothing," said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra. He said the Congress would take up the issue during the session.

"The other disturbing trend is the growing crimes against women, especially minor girls," said Mishra citing the alleged gang-rape of a minor girl at Kunduli in Koraput district. Though subsequent forensic tests have ruled out rape, the girl committed suicide in January. The government had also denied that cops had raped the girl.

The BJP, too, will highlight the law and order issue, especially the Kunduli incident. BJP state president Basanta Panda said: "Our party will raise the issue of killing of five innocent tribals in Kandhamal by the state police in the name of Maoist encounter."

The Opposition will also raises issues including acute drinking water crisis, corruption and farmers' plight in the session. After a meeting of party MLAs, Naveen said: "Our government is ready to face any issue to be raised by the Opposition."

To counter the Opposition attack, the BJD is likely to raise the issues of Mahanadi river dispute, construction of Polavaram dam, special-category status, curtailment of central funds to the state and enhancement of minimum support price of paddy.

"We are not scared to face the Opposition," said BJD spokesperson Debi Prasad Mishra.