Significant Party Switching Among MPs and MLAs: ADR Report Reveals

The ADR report sheds light on the significant trend of party switching among MPs and MLAs between 2022 and 2026, revealing that 111 representatives changed their political affiliations. The analysis categorizes these changes and highlights the parties that gained the most members. Notably, the NPF saw the highest influx of 32 members, followed by the BJP and Nationalist Citizens Party of India. The report also discusses the implications of these shifts on governance and compares the findings with previous reports, emphasizing the complex reasons behind such political maneuvers.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 27, 2026, 11:08 IST

Key Findings from the ADR Report on Party Switching

A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has unveiled crucial statistics regarding party switching in electoral politics. The analysis, conducted alongside the National Election Watch, focuses on current MPs and MLAs who changed their political affiliations after winning elections between 2022 and 2026. According to the findings, a total of 111 representatives switched parties during this timeframe, which includes 26 Lok Sabha MPs, 7 Rajya Sabha MPs, and 78 state legislators.

Overview of Party Changes

The ADR's report is based on data from Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state assembly elections, including by-elections held from 2022 to 2026. It categorizes the instances of party switching into four types: changing parties without resigning from the house, mergers with other parties, joining another party after resigning and contesting in by-elections, and returning to the house after being disqualified and winning a by-election for a different party.

Most MPs and MLAs Joined NPF

According to the ADR data, the National People's Front (NPF) saw the highest number of switches, with 32 MPs and MLAs joining, accounting for nearly 29% of the total cases. Following NPF, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gained 29 representatives, making up about 26%. The Nationalist Citizens Party of India welcomed 20 members, while Congress, Shiv Sena, NPP, and PPA saw 9, 8, 6, and 4 members switch, respectively.

Analysis of Party Departures

The report also examines the origins of the representatives who switched parties. Notably, 25 members left the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), followed by 20 from the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and 19 from Congress. Additionally, 9 representatives from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), 7 from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and 7 from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also changed their affiliations.

State-wise Party Switching Trends

When looking at state-specific data, Nagaland recorded the highest number of party switches at 32, representing approximately 29% of the total. West Bengal followed with 20 cases, accounting for around 18%. The report indicates that the 111 representatives who switched parties were associated with 17 different states and union territories.

Impact of Party Switching on Governance

The ADR report highlights that party switching has contributed to the downfall of some state governments in recent years. However, it emphasizes that various political and constitutional factors can lead to a government's collapse, and thus, the data should be interpreted within that context.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Reports

Previously, on September 9, 2021, ADR released a report concerning party switching among MPs and MLAs. The new report focuses on the period from 2022 to 2026, analyzing the cases of current members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state assemblies.

Conclusions from the Report

The ADR report presents data on the number of representatives who switched parties and their associated political parties. However, it does not draw political conclusions favoring or opposing any party, as the circumstances and reasons for switching can vary significantly. The most notable finding is that 111 current MPs and MLAs changed their political parties between 2022 and 2026, with NPF, BJP, and the Nationalist Citizens Party of India being the primary beneficiaries.