111 MPs, MLAs Changed Parties After Winning Elections Since 2022: ADR

ADR Finds 111 Post-Election Party Switches

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch have identified 111 MPs and MLAs who changed political parties after winning elections between 2022 and 2026.

The analysis, released on September 24, 2026, covers sitting elected representatives who changed parties after winning elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha or state assemblies, along with relevant by-elections. ADR said the dataset had been updated through July 12, 2026.

The 111 representatives comprise:

• 26 Lok Sabha MPs

• 7 Rajya Sabha MPs

• 78 MLAs

Nagaland Records Highest Number of Cases

Nagaland recorded the highest number of post-election party switches, with 32 cases, according to the ADR analysis.

West Bengal followed with 20 cases, while Telangana recorded nine. Goa and Punjab each recorded eight cases.

In Nagaland, the cases were largely connected with political realignment involving the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the Naga People's Front (NPF). ADR's analysis found that 25 representatives originally elected from the NDPP were among those who changed parties, while the NPF was the destination party for 32 lawmakers.

West Bengal Accounts for 20 Cases

West Bengal accounted for 20 of the 111 cases, with all 20 involving Lok Sabha members.

According to the ADR analysis, all 20 were originally elected on All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) tickets and subsequently moved to the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).

The findings come amid wider political debate over party switching and the effectiveness of India's existing anti-defection provisions.

Four Categories of Party Switching

ADR divided the cases into four broad categories based on how the lawmakers changed political affiliation:

1. Individual defection after being elected.

2. Party merger involving elected representatives.

3. Resignation followed by a by-election, after which the representative won from another party.

4. Disqualification followed by a by-election, with the representative subsequently winning a seat.

Of the 78 Assembly-level cases, ADR identified 70 MLAs who switched parties after being elected and eight who resigned, changed parties and subsequently won by-elections.

BJP Was a Major Destination Party

The ADR analysis also examined which parties gained lawmakers through these switches.

The BJP was the destination party for 29 of the 111 representatives, comprising seven Rajya Sabha MPs and 22 MLAs. The Congress received nine representatives, while the NPF received 32 and the NCPI received 20, according to the report.

On the other side, the NDPP recorded 25 exits, while the AITC recorded 20 and the Congress 19. These figures reflect the parties from which representatives moved during the period covered by the analysis.

Gujarat Records Four Cases

Gujarat accounted for four of the 111 cases identified by ADR.

The four MLAs were C J Chavda, Arjun Modhwadia, Arvindbhai Ladani and Chirag Patel. All four were elected on Congress tickets, resigned from the Assembly, joined the BJP and subsequently contested by-elections.

Chirag Patel switched parties in 2023, while Chavda, Modhwadia and Ladani joined the BJP in 2024, according to the report.

ADR Calls for Anti-Defection Reforms

ADR has argued that the frequency of post-election party switching highlights the need to strengthen India's existing framework governing political defections.

The organisation has recommended amendments to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, along with measures that could restrict legislators who switch parties from holding public office. ADR has also called for greater transparency and accountability involving political parties.

These recommendations form part of ADR's broader advocacy for electoral and political reforms.

Why the Findings Matter

Party switching after an election can have consequences for the composition of legislatures and the political balance within governments. India's anti-defection provisions were introduced to address legislators changing political allegiance under certain circumstances, but the implementation of these provisions has remained a subject of political and legal debate.

ADR's latest analysis provides a numerical snapshot of party switches involving elected representatives during the 2022-2026 period. The organisation has used the findings to renew its call for changes to the existing framework.

Key Takeaways

• 111 MPs and MLAs changed political parties after winning elections between 2022 and 2026.

• The total includes 26 Lok Sabha MPs, 7 Rajya Sabha MPs and 78 MLAs.

• Nagaland recorded 32 cases, the highest among states and Union Territories.

• West Bengal recorded 20 cases, followed by Telangana with nine.

• The BJP was the destination party for 29 representatives in the ADR dataset.

• ADR classified the cases into individual defections, mergers, resignations followed by by-elections, and disqualifications followed by by-elections.

• ADR has recommended reforms to the Tenth Schedule and other measures to address party switching.