Congress a 'tail-ender' to regional parties: BJP

The BJP on Sunday mocked the Congress, saying the party has reduced itself as "a tail-ender" to regional outfits in states like Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

"See what is Congress party's political position today. Look at Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. I think Congress has lowered its political ambitions. It is quite content becoming the tail-ender of any alliance," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters here on the sidelines of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive meeting.

"So from Tamil Nadu to Bihar to Bengal, that is the role they (Congress) have," he said.

Asked whether the political instability in Congress-ruled Uttarakhand figured in the day's deliberations in BJP meet, the senior party leader quipped that the "issue should rather figure in the Congress working committee meeting".

He said there was a "deep division" in the Congress in Uttarakhand and it should not be attributed to the BJP.

Jaitley criticised Uttarakhand Speaker G.S. Kunjwal for his decision to pass the budget by voice vote.

Noting that BJP has formed an alliance in Assam with regional parties but is the "leader" of the combine, he exuded confidence that his party will score a "decisive victory" in the coming elections in the northeastern state.