Question

When was the Act that provided for the Anti-Defection law passed?
A) 1950
B) 1960
C) 2005
D) 1985

Answer 1

Hint:
-The anti-defection law established via the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, consists of eight paragraphs.
-The anti-defection law states that any MLA or MP who shifts party will forfeit their seat in the legislature.
-The legislation was enacted to make parliamentarians more accountable and obedient to the political parties of which they were affiliated at the time of their election.

Complete answer:
The anti-defection law was implemented in India to resolve the perceived issue of instability caused by duly elected legislators in India's Parliamentary System of Government changing allegiance from the parties they endorsed during election or disobeying their parties' decisions at crucial times. Such a shift in allegiance was viewed as a symptom of endemic political corruption, which provided some justification for corruption in other areas of life in the country.
With public support for an anti-defection law increasing, Rajiv Gandhi introduced a new anti-defection bill in Parliament shortly after winning a strong majority in 1984. On 30 and 31 January1985, respectively, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha unanimously approved the bill after marathon debates. The bill got the approval of the President on 15 February 1985. On 18 March 1985, the act went into effect. The legislation outlined the procedure for disqualifying an elected official for the remainder of his tenure if he or she defected by resigning or defying the party leadership by missing an important vote. However, the legislation permitted political party mergers and splits.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note:
-Ashoke Sen supported the act of allowing mass defections by saying it as liberating the legislators from obscurantism and orthodox politics.
-In 2003, Indian parliament passed the Ninety-first Amendment to the constitution for strengthening the act.