The Congress party has intensified its criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) following the defection of seven Rajya Sabha MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress leader Ajay Maken stated that this move reveals AAP's true nature as a party driven by financial interests, referring to it as a 'party of billionaires.' He claimed that AAP has acted as a proxy for the BJP, particularly in states like Punjab and Gujarat, and alleged that the party has received financial support from separatist groups. Maken highlighted that the average net worth of the departing MPs is around ₹818 crore each. The merger has reduced AAP's representation in the Rajya Sabha to just three members, while the BJP's strength has increased to 113. AAP has responded by filing a petition to disqualify the MPs who left, asserting that they have abandoned the party's principles.