111 MPs, MLAs switched parties after winning elections since 2022: ADR

New Delhi: The Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch analysed party switches among elected lawmakers from 2022 to 2026. A total of 111 MPs and MLAs changed parties after winning elections, including 26 Lok Sabha members, seven Rajya Sabha members and 78 MLAs. The cases covered individual defections, party mergers, resignations followed by bypoll victories and disqualification followed by bypoll wins.

Nagaland recorded the highest number at 32 cases, all involving MLAs, largely tied to realignment between the ruling NDPP and NPF. West Bengal saw 20 cases, all Lok Sabha members originally elected on AITC tickets who moved to the NCPI. Telangana recorded nine cases of BRS MLAs switching to Congress, while Goa saw eight cases of Congress MLAs joining BJP. Punjab accounted for eight cases including six Rajya Sabha members.