An analysis of election data from 2017 and 2022 in five states shows that the BJP had the maximum number of sitting MLAs switching to other parties before the latest round of polls while also taking in the most number of defectors.
The BJP won in four of the five states where Assembly elections were held in 2017 and 2022 — bagging Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa while losing in Punjab. The attritions from the BJP could be a fallout of election hopefuls looking for greener pastures elsewhere after failing to secure the party’s ticket in 2022.
Poll watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has found that the Bahujan Samaj Party lost the most number of unsuccessful candidates from 2017 to other parties in 2022.
The BJP topped the list of parties whose sitting MLAs contested on tickets of other parties in 2022.
The Samajwadi Party hosted the maximum number of defectors who had tasted defeat in 2017.
The BJP received the highest number of defecting MLAs.
Uttar Pradesh has the largest electorate among the five states where elections were held in February-March.
“Maximum number of candidates, 75 (27%) left the BSP to join another party during the recent Assembly elections 2022. While 37 (13%) candidates left the INC (Congress) to join a different party to contest elections… (in) 2022. In recent Assembly elections 2022, 54 (20%) out of the total of 276 recontesting candidates (those who were fielded in both 2017 and 2022) who switched political parties joined the SP followed by 35 (13%) candidates who joined the BJP and 31 (11%) candidates who joined the BSP,” the report said.
It added: “Highest number of MLAs, 27 (32%), left the BJP to join another party during the recent Assembly elections 2022. While 24 (28%) MLAs left the INC to join a different party to contest elections during… 2022. In… 2022, 32 (38%) out of 85 recontesting MLAs who switched political parties joined the BJP followed by 19 (22%) MLAs who joined the SP and 9 (11%) MLAs who joined the INC.”
Therefore, the BJP had the maximum number of MLAs leaving the party — 27 — while it took in the most number of politicians from other parties — 67 (35 unsuccessful candidates from 2017 and 32 sitting MLAs from other parties).
The figures suggest that sitting BJP MLAs who did not get tickets in 2022 were the most sought after in the poll pool, while the party was the most successful in wooing lawmakers who represented other parties in 2017.
Incidentally, the BJP received more than 82 per cent, or Rs 212.05 crore, of all contributions by electoral trusts in 2020-21. Trusts are vehicles used by corporate entities to make political contributions.
The ADR has recommended a constitutional amendment to transfer the power to adjudicate on disqualification of a defector from the Assembly Speaker to the governor for MLAs and from the Lok Sabha Speaker or the Rajya Sabha Chairman to the President in case of MPs.
The report added: “In addition, a provision should be made for debarring the defector from holding public office or any remunerative post until the next fresh elections or the duration of the remaining term of the legislature. The vote cast by a defector to topple a government should be treated as invalid.”
It said: “In the absence of a comprehensive law, citizens cannot question, appraise and audit the functioning of political class and politicians. Therefore, there is a dire need for a comprehensive legislation regulating the functioning of political parties, recognition of their party constitution, election at various levels of party organs, conditions for registration and de-registration, compulsory maintenance of accounts, women representation at organisational positions….
“There should be a strict mechanism for cross-verification of assets of MPs and MLAs including their immediate family members; spouse/children/other dependents who have defected, changed/joined a particular political party and where it is seen that there is a dubious multiplication of assets of an MP/MLA after changing/switching a particular political party.”
