Congress Targets BJP After AAP MPs Switch Sides, Calls It ‘Washing Machine Politics’

A day after seven Members of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling party, accusing it of using a “washing machine” to cleanse leaders facing allegations. Reacting to the political development, the Congress remarked that the BJP’s “washing machine” had returned with what it described as “Modi washing powder.” The party has consistently alleged that the BJP inducts leaders from other parties who are facing legal cases and subsequently softens action against them. All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X to reiterate the charge. In his post, he stated that the BJP’s “washing machine” was back in operation with “Modi washing powder.” He further said that those who once projected themselves as symbols of honesty, integrity, and principles now stand completely exposed. Ramesh also alleged that the party led by Arvind Kejriwal has deviated from its founding principles, values, and core ethics. It is noteworthy that one of the seven AAP MPs who switched sides, Ashok Mittal, had recently faced raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The political shift has dealt a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party. On Friday, seven of its Rajya Sabha members—Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikram Sahney, and Swati Maliwal—resigned from the party and joined the BJP. Following the development, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of betraying the people of Punjab, while Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann termed the seven MPs as “traitors.” The episode has intensified political tensions, with sharp exchanges between major parties and allegations of opportunism and ideological compromise dominating the discourse.