Most candidates who changed parties in the recent polls to five Legislative Assemblies were from the Congress and the destination of most party hoppers was the BJP, according to a report by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms.

In its “Analysis of Re-Contesting Candidates and MLAs who Changed Parties in the Recent Assembly Elections 2021”, the ADR recommended tighter norms and constitutional changes to discourage defection.

The report said: “Maximum number of candidates, 8 (13.33 per cent) left INC (Congress) to join another party during the recent Assembly elections 2021, while 5 (8.33 per cent) candidates left each from AIADMK, AIUDF and BJP to join a different party to contest elections during this period. In recent Assembly elections 2021, 15 (25 per cent) out of the total of 60 re-contesting candidates who switched political parties joined the BJP followed by 8 (13.33 per cent) candidates who joined AITC (Trinamul Congress) and 5 (8.33 per cent) candidates who joined INC.”

It added: “Highest number of MLAs, 20 (39.22 per cent), left INC to join another party during the recent Assembly elections 2021, while 15 (29.41 per cent) MLAs left AITC to join a different party to contest elections during this period. In recent Assembly elections 2021, 20 (39.22 per cent) out of 60 re-contesting MLAs who switched political parties joined the BJP followed by 17 (33.33 per cent) MLAs who joined AITC and 7 (13.73 per cent) MLAs who joined Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (sic).”