Aaya Ram Gaya Ram

Aaya Ram Gaya Ram (lit. 'Ram has come, Ram has gone') is a Hindi expression referring to the practice of turncoating, or switching parties in the context of a legislative body. The term originated in 1967 in Haryana when the Member of the Legislative Assembly Gaya Lal shifted his party allegiances thrice within a fortnight. Lal’s behavior eventually resulted in the imposition of President’s rule in Haryana later that year. Further pressure resulted in the passage of an anti-defection law in 1985. However, the practice of defection is still found today in state legislatures, albeit to a more limited extent.