Analysis counts 111 lawmakers changing parties since 2022

An analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch counted 111 sitting lawmakers who changed political parties after being elected in the 2022-2026 period, including 26 Lok Sabha members, seven Rajya Sabha members and 78 state legislators. The groups said the tally covers elections and by-elections and includes mergers as well as individual party changes. The Bharatiya Janata Party was the second-largest recipient, with 29 lawmakers joining it, according to the analysis. The Naga Peoples Front received 32, the largest total, primarily because of a 2025 merger involving lawmakers elected on Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party tickets. ADR distinguished that realignment from individual defections. The analysis recorded changes across 17 states and Union Territories. Nagaland had the largest number, with 32, followed by West Bengal with 20, Telangana with nine, and Goa and Punjab with eight each. The report also counted 20 lawmakers joining the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, nine joining Congress, eight joining Shiv Sena, six joining the National People’s Party and four joining the People’s Party of Arunachal.