Opinion and commentary

Defections and floor-crossing are not a new phenomenon in Indian politics, with tales ranging from Aaya Ram Gaya Ram in the late 1960s, to the modern-day ‘resort politics’ and toppling of various state governments in recent years. Yet the smallest of the states going to polls this month is rather infamous for a large number of defections across all parties, which has already sparked fears among several contesting parties even before Goa votes on February 14.