1 hr ago
ADR Finds 111 Lawmakers Changed Parties After Winning Elections
A report studied politicians who changed political parties after winning elections.
It found that 111 MPs and MLAs did this between 2022 and 2026.
The group included members of both houses of Parliament and state legislators.
Nagaland had the most cases, with 32 lawmakers changing parties.
West Bengal had 20 cases involving Lok Sabha members.
Some changes happened through defections, mergers, resignations followed by bypoll wins, or disqualifications followed by bypoll wins.
The NPF received the largest number of lawmakers, while the BJP received the second-largest number.
ADR said some defections were linked to governments falling in state assemblies.
It wants clearer rules and time limits for deciding whether lawmakers should be disqualified.
ADR and National Election Watch identified 111 lawmakers who changed parties between 2022 and 2026.
The group included 26 Lok Sabha members, seven Rajya Sabha members and 78 MLAs.
Nagaland recorded the most cases with 32, followed by West Bengal with 20.
The NPF received the most defecting lawmakers, with 32, followed by the BJP with 29.
ADR recommended changes to the anti-defection system, including deadlines and shifting decision-making authority.
- Who
- The Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch analyzed 111 MPs and MLAs who changed parties.
- What
- The analysis found 26 Lok Sabha members, seven Rajya Sabha members and 78 MLAs changed parties after winning elections.
- Where
- Across India, with the highest numbers in Nagaland and West Bengal.
- When
- Between 2022 and 2026; the report was dated September 25.
- Why
- The changes involved defections, party mergers, resignations followed by bypoll victories, and disqualifications followed by bypoll victories.
Key facts
- Total lawmakers
- 111
- Breakdown
- 26 Lok Sabha members, 7 Rajya Sabha members and 78 MLAs
- Highest state total
- Nagaland: 32 cases
- Second-highest state total
- West Bengal: 20 cases
- Largest recipient party
- Naga People's Front: 32 lawmakers
- Largest source party
- Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party: 25 lawmakers
- Recommended reforms
- Decision deadlines, new disqualification authorities and restrictions on defectors holding public office until re-election
Sources
Related news
Report identifies BJP among top beneficiaries of political defections
CJP Demands 20-Year Ban for Turncoat Lawmakers
Eight UDP MLAs Join BJP, Reshaping Meghalaya’s Political Arithmetic
Rebel TMC MP’s BJP Switch Claim Rejected by Rebels, BJP
Rebel TMC Leader Claims 17 MPs Will Join BJP Soon
NCPI Unveils Committee, Gives Rebel TMC MPs Key Posts
NDPP to Decide on Merger with NPF via General Convention
Merger Talks Intensify: NDPP Seeks Rio's Return to NPF
Nagaland BJP MLA Calls For Harmony in Ruling Coalition
Nagaland Speaker Approves NCP MLA Merger with NDPP
