The National Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Thursday released a report which says the Congress party saw the maximum number of candidates leaving the party to join other political parties during the assembly and parliamentary elections held between 2014-2021.

"The maximum number of candidates, 222 (20 per cent) left INC to join another party during the elections held between 2014-2021. While 153 (14 per cent) candidates left BSP to join a different party to contest elections during this period," the ADR report said.

According to the analysis, around 253 (22 per cent) out of the 1133 re-contesting candidates who switched political parties, joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Between 2014-2021, 253 (22 per cent) out of the total of 1133 re-contesting candidates who super cent political parties joined the BJP followed by candidates who joined INC and 65 (6 per cent) candidates who joined BSP," the report said.

The report further said that the maximum number of MPs/MLAs, 177 (35 per cent) leaving a party was from Congress who joined another party during the elections held between 2014-2021.

"Highest number of MPs/MLAs, 177(35 per cent), left INC to join another per cent during the elections held between 2014-2021. While 33 (7 per cent) MPs/MLAs left BJP to join a different party to contest elections during this period," the ADR report said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has been the most preferred destination for those who left their parties, followed by the Congress and the Trinamool Congress between 2014-2021.

"Between 2014-2021, 173 (35 per cent) out of 500 reca contesting MPs/MLAs who switched political parties joined the BJP followed by 61 (12 per cent) MPs/MLAs who joined INC and 31(6 per cent) MPs/MLAs who joined AITC," it added.

The ADR has analysed self-sworn affidavits of 1133 candidates and 500 MPs/MLAs, who changed parties and re-contested elections held during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections since 2014.