India, April 23 -- er vice president M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday slammed leaders for party-hopping, abusing their former party bosses after switching sides and said efforts should be made to strengthen the anti-defection laws. He also said political parties should refrain from announcing freebies, and instead focus on providing free education and healthcare.

A former president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Naidu referred to "party-hopping" as a "disturbing trend" said he was not referring to any one party in particular, but mentioning a trend that has affected all the parties. "Defections are being encouraged. We should strengthen anti defection law," he said.

Naidu, who was presented with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civili...