Mounting inflation and the stalled Indo-US nuclear deal haunt the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance coalition government as it enters the final year in office on Thursday and gears up to face the next elections.
With both friends and foes warning that spiralling prices of essential commodities might sound the 'death knell' for the Manmohan Singh government, reining in inflation will be a task for the UPA to accomplish to escape the ire of voters.
As the government is caught in the web of coalition politics, the Congress-led UPA has to do a tight-rope walk so as not to annoy its Left partners and at the same time keep the voters in good humour by containing inflation.
The Left parties, which provide the crucial outside prop to the government, are opposed to the Indo-US nuclear deal and the Centre has so far hit a roadblock to get their endorsements.
The Left parties have also joined the opposition in slamming the government on the price rise front. The UPA will come out with the yearly 'Report to the People' to present its achievements during its four year tenure.
As the government headed by the economist-turned-politician braces for the challenges ahead, Congress is of the view that coalition has never been an option, but a compulsion for the party.
But, UPA ally Rashtriya Janata Dal feels the grand old party should observe coalition 'dharma', realising that the government at the Centre was not of Congress, but of UPA.
Lalu Prasad's party made these remarks after the government rushed through the Women's Reservation Bill without consulting the allies.
Perhaps seeing the writing on