New Delhi: Irrepressible Railway Minister Laloo Prasad today (July 14, 2004) had a dig at the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led Opposition for "showing their back" to him indicating they are on the retreat.

"Whenever I stand up, they show me their backs as they are on the retreat. They have not yet been able to digest their defeat," he said, winding up his reply to a debate on the Railway Budget in the Lok Sabha after the Opposition members walked out to protest the presence of "tainted" ministers in the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government.

"In Indian culture, it is not proper to attack someone who has shown his back to you (one who is retreating) and, therefore, I cannot speak against them," he said.

Besides, he quipped he had become "disciplined" after being made the Railway Minister. Laloo, in his inimitable style, said though they have boycotted his reply, the Opposition members would be listening to his speech surreptitiously. He even parodied an old Hindi film song "Chup chup khade ho zaroor koi baat hai".

He asked the Opposition to "eulogise" UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at least in their hearts if not openly for her "sacrifice" by not accepting the top post even after getting the "overwhelming support" of the people.

The Railway Minister showered fulsome praise on Gandhi and wondered why the BJP-led Opposition members become victims of "allergy" whenever her name is taken. "We should keep some anti-allergic drugs in the House for them," he said.

"In fact, they should be appreciative of Gandhi, for her sacrifice of not accepting the top post even after having been elected overwhelmingly by the people. This is unparalleled in political history," he said.