new delhi, April 27
The Congress on Monday intensified its attack on the government over the merger of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh alleging that the development raises serious questions about institutional neutrality and the functioning of investigative agencies. In a post on X, Ramesh said the decision to accept the merger was “not at all surprising,” adding that the only unexpected aspect was the delay in formal approval. “Small mercies make up Indian democracy now,” he remarked, in a pointed critique of the process. He also questioned the BJP’s apparent shift in stance toward the defecting MPs, pointing out that the party had earlier raised doubts about their integrity. “The BJP has hailed these MPs just as the latter have embraced their new home warmly. Till very recently, the BJP had serious questions on their integrity and claimed to have solid evidence on them but all that is now conveniently forgotten,” Ramesh said. The Congress leader further alleged that enforcement actions against some of the MPs could now be halted following their induction into the ruling party. Referring to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), he said, “The ED was raiding some of these MPs until recently but one can bet that those will also come to a stop now.” He added that potential investigations against others would also likely not materialise, describing the move as “both a surgical strike and a pre-emptive action.” In a sharp rhetorical flourish, Ramesh coined a phrase to criticise the ruling party, saying, “Lotus has become Lootus,” alluding to the BJP’s election symbol.
The controversy follows the formal acceptance of the merger of seven AAP MPs into the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, a move that has altered the party arithmetic in the Upper House and strengthened the ruling party’s position. The development comes amid heightened political contestation ahead of key elections and has triggered a fresh round of allegations and counter-allegations between the opposition and the government.
While the BJP has welcomed the MPs into its fold, presenting the move as a reflection of growing support for its policies and leadership; Opposition parties have framed it as indicative of political pressure and inducement. The AAP has also criticised the defections, calling them a betrayal of the party’s mandate.
The role of agencies, such as the ED, has frequently been a flashpoint in political debates, with Opposition parties alleging selective targeting, while the government has consistently maintained that such bodies function independently and act strictly in accordance with the law.
