politics•Sat, September 26, 2026•5 min read

Why 111 Lawmakers Have Switched Sides in the Last Four Years

A comprehensive new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) highlights that 111 sitting MPs and MLAs have changed their party affiliations since 2022. The findings reveal a significant trend of political shifting, with Nagaland and West Bengal emerging as the focal points of these defections.

The Landscape of Political Defection

The stability of political representation in India is under the microscope once again. A fresh analysis from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch has quantified a trend that many voters have sensed but few have seen in raw data: a widespread migration of elected representatives between parties. Between 2022 and 2026, 111 sitting members of Parliament and state legislative assemblies have crossed the aisle after winning their seats.

New ADR data outlines the shifting loyalties within India's legislative bodies.

Who Is Switching and Where?

The breakdown of these 111 cases highlights the geographic and organizational spread of the phenomenon. According to the report, the defectors include 26 Lok Sabha MPs, seven Rajya Sabha members, and 78 MLAs. While these shifts occurred across 17 states and Union Territories, two regions stand out for their high volume of party changes:

Nagaland: Accounted for 32 cases (29% of the total), largely driven by internal party mergers.
West Bengal: Followed with 20 recorded cases (18%).

The ADR report categorized these shifts into four distinct methods: individual voluntary defection, formal party mergers, resignations followed by successful re-election in bye-elections, and disqualification under the Tenth Schedule followed by winning a seat again.

Party-Level Impact

The political math reveals that three parties—the NDPP, AITC, and INC—accounted for over half of all departures, totaling 64 instances. Conversely, the NPF, BJP, and NCPI emerged as the primary beneficiaries, collectively welcoming 81 of the 111 lawmakers into their ranks.

The recent fall of governments in some State Assemblies was attributed to defections by their MLAs.
— Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) Report

The Path Forward

The ADR has long advocated for transparency and accountability in Indian politics. By highlighting these figures, the organization aims to spark a broader conversation regarding the anti-defection framework. As the data suggests, the current mechanisms for handling such transitions continue to be a point of debate, particularly as these shifts have been directly linked to the collapse of state-level governments over the past few years.

Key Takeaways

111 sitting MPs and MLAs have changed parties between 2022 and 2026.
Nagaland recorded the highest rate of defection, accounting for 29% of all cases.
The data includes 26 Lok Sabha MPs, 7 Rajya Sabha members, and 78 MLAs.
Party mergers and bye-elections are primary channels for these political transitions.
The NDPP, AITC, and INC saw the highest number of departures, while NPF and BJP were major gainers.

FAQ

What is the ADR report about?

It is an analysis of sitting MPs and MLAs in India who changed their political party affiliation after winning elections between 2022 and 2026.

Which state had the most defections?

Nagaland recorded the highest number of party defections, accounting for 32 of the 111 cases reported.

How did the ADR categorize these shifts?

The ADR categorized them into four types: individual defection, formal party merger, resignation followed by a bye-election, and disqualification followed by a bye-election.

Are these findings exhaustive?

The ADR cautions that due to the lack of systematically maintained official data, this list may not be exhaustive, and other cases could exist.