New Delhi: Congress today (Dec 15, 2004) attacked the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) for disrupting Parliament on the issue of absence of Railway Minister Laloo Prasad and accused it of politicising the matter in view of forthcoming Assembly polls in Bihar.

"We appeal to the Opposition not to politicise the issue. Everything should not be linked to forthcoming elections in Bihar," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters.

Criticising the BJP for showing disregard to the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, he said that it showed the saffron party was "totally confused and directionless".

Endorsing Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's criticism of the BJP-led Opposition, he said that the Opposition should have allowed the Minister of State for Railways to make the statement on the rail tragedy in Punjab as Cabinet has collective responsibility.

Taking a dig at the BJP president L K Advani, he said that the sad plight of the main Opposition was due to the policies it pursued during six years of rule. Advani, he said, was the most experienced in taking out yatras and now should take out a "repentence yatra".