In Pics | Politicians who jumped the ship as assembly polls near in five states

With assembly elections around the corner in five states, it is generally the time among members of political parties to assess their chances and jump ship as part of their strategy to consolidate their position. While most of the high-profile defections have been in Uttar Pradesh so far, with leaders of the Brahmin community, especially unhappy with the BJP, the Trinamool Congress has also been consolidating its position in the national politics.

Aparna Yadav, the daughter-in-law of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, joined the BJP, and is likely to contest the upcoming UP polls. Credit: AFP Photo

Congress MLA Naresh Saini (C) and former SP MLA Dharmpal Singh (2nd L) join the BJP in presence of UP BJP leaders Swatantradev Singh (R) and Dinesh Sharma. Credit: PTI Photo

Former UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya joined the Samajwadi Party in presence of party chief Akhilesh Yadav at the SP office in Lucknow. Three MLAs close to Maurya, Bhagwati Sagar, Raushan Lal Verma, and Brijesh Prajapati, also joined the SP on the same day. Credit: PTI Photo

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav welcomes former UP Minister Dharam Singh Sainin into the party. Credit: PTI Photo

With the TMC aiming to enter state politics across India and emerge as a national party for the 2024 polls, it roped in former Union Minister and sitting MP Babul Supriyo towards the end of last year. Credit: PTI Photo

Mamata Banerjee roped in Congress's Kirti Azad last November, in the run-up to the polls in five states. Credit: PTI Photo

Former BJP MLA Michael Lobo joins Congress in the presence of Leader of Opposition in the Goa Assembly Digambar Kamat and Goa Congress in-charge Gundu Rao, ahead of the Goa Assembly elections. Credit: PTI Photo