Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Report identifies BJP among top beneficiaries of political defections
A report looked at politicians who changed political parties between 2022 and 2026.
It says the NPF, BJP and NCPI gained the most elected representatives.
In total, 26 Lok Sabha members, seven Rajya Sabha members and 78 state legislators changed parties.
The NPF grew after the NDPP merged with it in Nagaland.
That merger left Nagaland’s Assembly without an Opposition.
The BJP gained seven Rajya Sabha members from AAP and 22 MLAs.
The NCPI gained many former Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha members.
The ADR wants stricter rules so politicians cannot switch parties simply for political advantage.
An Association for Democratic Reforms report says the NPF, BJP and NCPI gained the most defectors from 2022 to 2026.
The report records defections involving 26 Lok Sabha MPs, seven Rajya Sabha MPs and 78 MLAs.
The NPF gained the most MLAs after the NDPP merged with it in October last year, leaving Nagaland without an Opposition.
The BJP gained seven Rajya Sabha MPs from AAP and 22 MLAs during the period covered.
The ADR has proposed tighter disqualification rules and restrictions on defectors holding public office.
- Who
- The NPF, BJP and NCPI gained defectors, while the NDPP, Trinamool Congress and Congress were among the main parties that lost representatives.
- What
- An Association for Democratic Reforms report documented political defections and proposed reforms to the disqualification process.
- When
- The defections covered occurred between 2022 and 2026; the NDPP-NPF merger took place in October last year.
- Where
- The defections affected India’s Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state legislatures, with major developments in Nagaland.
- Why
- The ADR says reforms are needed to curb what it calls the politics of convenience and self-gain.
- Reporting organisation
- Association for Democratic Reforms
- Period covered
- 2022 to 2026
- Defections recorded
- 26 Lok Sabha MPs, seven Rajya Sabha MPs and 78 MLAs
- Top beneficiary parties
- Naga People’s Front, BJP and Nationalist Citizens Party of India
- Main losing parties
- National Democratic Progressive Party, Trinamool Congress and Congress
- BJP gains
- Seven Rajya Sabha MPs from AAP and 22 MLAs
- Proposed deadline
- Disqualification decisions should be settled within six months of a petition