Question

What does the term ‘Defection’ imply?
A. Changing a political party from the party from which the person was elected to a different party.
B. Form of Corruption.
C. An act of defeating someone.
D. Necessary condition for democracy.

Answer 1

Hint: To bring the defection down in Indian politics, the constitution was amended and the 10th schedule was added to it in 1985. The 10th schedule prohibits defection but not a merger of political parties.

Complete step by step answer:
The term ‘Defection’ implies changing a political party from the party from which he was elected to a different party. The 10th schedule lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on the ground of defection by the presiding officer based on a petition filed by another legislator. If a member of a party defies its whip on any issue, he may lose his membership of the house. It applies to both Parliament and the State legislatures. The decision of the presiding officer is subjected to Judicial Review after the order of the apex court in 1992. There is not a time limit for the Presiding Officer to decide on the disqualification of a legislator. The anti-defection is unique to Indian democracy unlike other countries, for example, the USA, the UK, and France, etc.
So, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: The defection had become a cause of instability in the government during post-independence until the anti-defection law came into force. The anti-defection law ensures instability in the government. MP and MLAs vote following their party. However, it restricts a member of a party from voting freely and following his/her interests. That is the reason; it is often criticized by some people for breaching the right to choice and right to freedom of speech and expression.