At least 111 sitting MPs and MLAs changed their political affiliations after winning elections between 2022 and 2026, according to a new analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch.
The report examined elected representatives from the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state assemblies who switched political parties after securing electoral victories. The 111 lawmakers include 26 Lok Sabha MPs, seven Rajya Sabha members and 78 legislators from state assemblies.
The findings cover party switches following elections and by-elections held during the 2022–2026 period.
Nagaland Records Highest Number of Party Switches
Nagaland recorded the highest number of lawmakers changing political affiliations, with 32 cases, accounting for around 29% of the total identified by ADR.
West Bengal followed with 20 cases, while Telangana recorded nine lawmakers changing parties. Goa and Punjab each reported eight cases, according to the analysis.
The figures show that party switching was spread across several states and Union Territories during the period examined by ADR.
NDPP, TMC and Congress Account for Major Share of Switches
Among political parties, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) of Nagaland recorded the highest number of lawmakers leaving its ranks, with 25 representatives, or around 23% of the total.
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) followed with 20 lawmakers, while the Congress recorded 19 such switches.
Together, the three parties accounted for 64 of the 111 cases, or nearly 58% of the total party switches identified in the report.
The report also includes 20 Lok Sabha MPs who were elected on Trinamool Congress tickets and subsequently claimed to have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The merger request is pending before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
NPF, BJP and NCPI Among Parties Receiving Switchers
ADR’s analysis also examined the political parties that received lawmakers who changed affiliations.
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) received the highest number, with 32 lawmakers joining it. The BJP followed with 29, while the Nationalist Citizens Party of India received 20 lawmakers, according to the report.
The report indicates that the movement of elected representatives changed political alignments in several states during the four-year period.
ADR Calls for Changes to Anti-Defection Rules
ADR raised concerns about the impact of repeated party switching on parliamentary democracy and called for changes to the existing anti-defection framework.
The organisation recommended that lawmakers who switch parties should be barred from receiving appointments to public offices. It also proposed that the President, rather than the presiding officer of a House, should decide disqualification petitions on the advice of the Election Commission.
ADR further recommended bringing political parties under the definition of public authorities under the Right to Information framework.
The organisation said the existing system needs stronger safeguards to address political defections and improve accountability in India’s parliamentary system.
