Anti-defection Law

Himachal Assembly passes Bill, bars defected MLAs from receiving pension

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed a Bill which will bar the members of the House who are disqualified under Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) from drawing pension. The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will affect six former Congress MLAs, who were disqualified by the Speaker for defying the whip and abstaining from the House during discussion on cut motions and passing of Budget in February. The opposition BJP objected to the Bill stating that it smacks of "political revenge" and it cannot be implemented with retrospective effect. The six former MLAs who will be impacted due to the Bill are Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Rajinder Rana, Devinder Kumar Bhutto, Chetanya Sharma and Ravi Thakur. All of them had voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha elections held in February. All six had contested the bypolls on BJP tickets earlier this year. While

Naidu calls for strengthening anti-defection law, ending freebies in polls

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said the "frequent" party-hopping by political leaders was a "disturbing trend" and called for strengthening the anti-defection law. Speaking at a function at his residence here after receiving the Padma award, Naidu said announcing "freebies" during elections without listing out funds mobilisation is an unhealthy trend which should be discouraged and people should question the leaders and parties making such lofty promises. Naidu was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award on Monday evening by President Droupadi Murmu at a function at Rashtrapati Bhawan. "Defections are being encouraged. We should strengthen the anti-defection law," he asserted. "Now, the worry is that there is a fall in the standards in public life. In political parties, people often change their parties. The latest trend is people are in one party in the morning and join another party in the evening and then they criticise your leader and say things left and right. Som

Why politicians defect

Indian politics wouldn't be a fraction as fascinating if it did not defy any idea that seemed obvious or an answer that began with 'of course'. They would all fail the test of Indian politics

LS speaker says committee to be formed to review anti-defection law

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Sunday that a committee headed by Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar would be formed to review the country's anti-defection law. He made the announcement after the 84th All India Presiding Officers' Conference here. The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the prevention of defection of the elected and nominated members from their political party and contains stringent provisions for curbing the menace of switching over of legislators. Birla said Narwekar will head the committee that will be formed to review the anti-defection law. Earlier this month, Narwekar gave his verdict on cross-petitions filed by Shiv Sena factions seeking disqualification of each other's MLAs, under the anti-defection law, following a split in the party in 2022. Narwekar is currently hearing similar petitions filed by two rival NCP factions. Asked about security arrangements during the next session of Parliament, Birla said appropriate steps are bein

Telangana elections: Disappointed ex-MLA of BRS, Cong leaders join BJP

Congress leader Kishan Reddy and Bapu Rao, who is an MLA from Boath joined the BJP in the presence of BJP president J P Nadda in Delhi on Wednesday

The politics and economics of MLA defecting to rival parties

One party gets the most number of turncoat lawmakers; regional players are affected most

Ajit Pawar's rebellion: How it happened and what lies ahead for NCP leader

In 2019, Ajit Pawar had rebelled against his party which was led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar. How is this second rebellion different?

How could governor ignore consequences: SC asks Thackeray faction

The top court is dealing with Maharashtra political crisis triggered due to rebellion in Shiv Sena. It will continue to hear the matter on February 28

Shinde hails Hindutva's victory as SC stays disqualification of rebel MLAs

After the SC's order, it is more likely that the rebel MLAs will now push for a floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly to prove the minority of the ruling MVA alliance

TMS Ep202: Economic recovery, philanthropy, crude oil, anti-defection law

How is the Indian economy recovering? What is the impact of family philanthropy in India? Will high crude oil prices bring a windfall to some companies? What is an anti-defection law? Answers here

What is an anti-defection law?

In the political turmoil in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is claiming the support of at least 40 MLAs. In this drama, anti-defection law has come into focus. This report explains it.

Letter to BS: Gehlot must withstand the pain of defection from his party

The 91st Amendment to the Con­s­ti­tu­tion in 2003 had strengthened the anti-defection law by increasing the bar on the number of MLAs switching sides from a third to two-thirds

Letter to BS: Law can't stop politicians from defecting but voters can

Voters in Karnataka and elsewhere have been taken for granted by the parties

Return of Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram: How the anti-defection law is misinterpreted

Parliament needs to review the Tenth Schedule and amend the anti-defection law to restore the sanctity of the legislature

Venkaiah Naidu urges time-bound disposal of political defection cases

Referring to criminal and election-related cases against peoples representatives, he said tribunals and special courts should be set up to deal with and dispose of all such cases within a year