India, Aug. 13 -- One can easily recall umpteen instances of MLAs changing their ideological and political loyalties for reasons best known to them. Leaders who defect justify it as "the wish of the people." When the floor-crossing happened for the first time in Haryana, when an MLA switched party thrice in a day, the term, Aaya Ram Gaya Ram (party-switching) gained prominence in the political discourse - right from the chaupals to the Central Hall of Parliament - but was brushed aside as an "aberration." Slowly but steadily, the practice gained ground. Who can forget Bhajan Lal, the former Chief Minister of Haryana, who migrated to the then newly-elected ruling party at the Centre, lock, stock and barrel and retained his position?

The p...