White washing the inseparable twin

An attempt being made by a leading politico of a main political party to whitewash a criminal very close to him is providing much amusement to his constituents, they say. 

The criminal character is said to have worked hard for the victory of the politico at the last general polls.

Given the local polls round the corner, the politico is said to be going round his electorate telling people not to believe the stories afloat about the criminal acts alleged to have committed by his sidekick. But his efforts to put the man in a favourable light have only raised laughs among the people.