Congress Criticizes BJP After AAP Senators Switch Allegiance
The recent defection of seven AAP Rajya Sabha members to the BJP has sparked strong criticism from Congress leaders. Jairam Ramesh and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have voiced their concerns over the BJP's political tactics, likening them to hunting strategies seen in Bengal. This shift has resulted in two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha representation merging with the BJP, prompting AAP to reassess its strategies moving forward. Senior party leaders are actively discussing the implications of this significant political change.
| Apr 25, 2026, 15:29 IST
Congress Responds to AAP Senators Joining BJP
The recent shift of seven Rajya Sabha members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the ruling coalition has drawn sharp criticism from Congress MP Jairam Ramesh. Speaking on X, Ramesh remarked that the BJP's 'washing machine' has returned, powered by Modi's 'washing powder.' He emphasized that those who once portrayed themselves as symbols of morality, integrity, and ideology have now been thoroughly exposed. Ramesh specifically mentioned Raghav Chadha and the six other MPs who allied with the BJP, highlighting their significant fall from grace.
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Former Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also expressed his concerns, stating that the BJP has successfully lured Raghav Chadha. He noted that the BJP is adept at this kind of political maneuvering, similar to tactics seen in Bengal. Chowdhury pointed out that when Mamata Banerjee senses electoral threats, she too engages in such strategies, employing her agency, I-PAC, to target potential winners. He remarked that both the BJP and Mamata Banerjee engage in this form of political hunting, which has become a new norm in contemporary politics.
This development follows the departure of Rajya Sabha members Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal from AAP to the BJP in the presence of senior party leaders. During a press conference in New Delhi, Chadha revealed that Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjeet Singh Sahni, and Swati Maliwal have also decided to join the BJP. He confirmed that they have notified the Speaker of the House about their departure in accordance with the rules.
Read More: Not Raghav, Not Swati: Sandeep Pathak's Exit is AAP's Biggest Blow, Find Out Why
With this shift, two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha members have effectively merged into the BJP. In response, AAP has begun discussions on its next strategic moves. Party leaders are evaluating the implications of this division. Late Friday night, senior party leader Manish Sisodia, returning from campaigning for the Gujarat municipal elections, met with party convenor Arvind Kejriwal for over half an hour to discuss the situation and future strategies.