Indian Politicians' Party Hopping: 111 MPs and MLAs Switch Sides Between 2022-2026

According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch, 111 MPs and MLAs have switched parties after winning elections to Parliament and state assemblies between 2022 and 2026. The highest number of turncoats include leaders from Nagaland and West Bengal. The report also covers elections and by-elections held during that period. It found that 26 Lok Sabha members, 7 Rajya Sabha members, and 78 MLAs have switched parties after 2022. According to ADR, these cases include leaders switching parties, merging parties, winning by-elections after resignations, and winning seats in by-elections after disqualification. Nagaland reported the highest number of 32 such cases and all of them involved MLAs. The highest number of turncoats were from the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDP) and the Naga People's Front (NPF), with the NPF having 25 MLAs.