Manish Tewari Introduces Anti-Defection Bill

Manish Tewari, a Member of Parliament from the India — Indian National Congress, has introduced a private member's bill in the India — Lok Sabha for the third time, seeking to amend India's Anti-Defection Law. The bill aims to free parliamentarians from strict party whips on most legislative matters, allowing them to vote according to their conscience and constituency interests. Exceptions would include votes affecting government stability, such as confidence motions, no-confidence motions, adjournment motions, money bills, and financial matters. Manish Tewari argues that the current whip system, established by Rajiv Gandhi's 1985 Anti-Defection Law, has led to 'whip-driven tyranny,' reducing lawmakers to 'lobotomised numbers' and hindering good lawmaking. He also proposes establishing independent judicial tribunals, including division benches of the India — Supreme Court of India, to handle defection cases.