New Delhi: Using the “washing machine” jibe of the Opposition at the BJP, Congress general secretary and in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday took a veiled dig at Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and all those leaders who have quit the grand old party, saying while all dissident leaders have benefitted from the “BJP’s washing machine” after switching sides, some need “big-sized machines” while others could do with smaller ones.
The Opposition has been throwing the “washing machine” jibe at the Centre, claiming many were absolved of their corruption charges after joining the saffron party. This metaphorical reference underscores the idea that those leaving the grand old party are perceived as seeking a fresh start or cleansing themselves from their previous political affiliations and graft charges.
“Those who need washing machines are leaving Congress. Be it Assam Chief Minister or any other, whoever has left Congress is a beneficiary of the washing machine,” news agency ANI quoted Jairam Ramesh as saying.
Speaking on Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s departure from the Congress, Ramesh, who is in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, said, everyone, regardless of their stature, requires a "washing machine" of sorts.
"All need a washing machine, some need small sized, some middle sized and some need grand sized washing machines,” he added.
Notably, the BJP announced Scindia's Lok Sabha candidature from his home turf Guna.
Meanwhile, even as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has decided to contest all Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal alone, Jairam Ramesh said the Congress is still hopeful of a seat-sharing deal in the Mamata Banerjee-ruled state.
“We have not closed any doors. She (Mamata Banerjee) has unilaterally announced that she will contest all 42 seats (in West Bengal), well that is her announcement. As far as we are concerned, talks are still underway, the doors are still open and the final word will not be said till the final word is said,” news agency PTI quoted Jairam Ramesh as saying.