Topic Details (Notes format)

Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule)

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Added by the 52nd Amendment (1985) to curb political defections undermining legislative stability. Legislators who defect from their party or disobey the party whip risk disqualification. The Speaker or Chairman decides such cases. Exceptions include party mergers or splits with a threshold. The 91st Amendment (2003) tightened the law, removing splits as a defense. While it deters opportunism, critics argue it restricts legitimate dissent and undermines constructive debate. Controversies surface when presiding officers act in a partisan manner. Nonetheless, the law remains central for maintaining stable governments and checking undue horse-trading in Indian legislatures.

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