The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law which was legislated but with a different intention ?

→ Issues with functioning of anti-defection law:

1. Allows for group defection in form of party merger but deters individual defection.

2. Role of speaker as a deciding authority for defection is questionable owing to her party bias.

3. Fear of defection does not allow for dissent in the assembly.

eq:- 103rd amendment act passed in 5 hours without much debate.

→ Suppression of debate:

1. Legislators due to fear of defection do not protest against Bill passed in houses.

2. Dissent cannot be expressed openly in parliament & intra-party meetings are not held frequently to allow deliberation.

However, anti-defection law is an important tool to check horse-trading & corruption that prevails across party lines to capture power & position.

To strengthen the law suggestions of Dinesh Goswami committee:

1. To allow defection only during confidence & non-confidence

motion.

(2) To allow for a tribunal to decide in cases of defection can be effective rather than the speaker.