Recently a nominated MP named Swapan Dasgupta resigned from Rajya Sabha, a year before completion of his term. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra had raised the issue of his disqualification from Rajya Sabha under the anti-defection law, after the BJP had fielded Dasgupta as its candidate for Tarakeswar constituency in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
During the making of the Constitution,the members of the Constituent Assembly felt that Rajya Sabha should have members who might not win elections but will bring knowledge and expertise to discussions in the Upper House.
It led to Rajya Sabha having 12 nominated members from different walks of life.
The broad criterion for their nomination is that they should have distinguished themselves in fields like literature, science, art, and social service.
The President nominates such individuals as recommended by the Centre. Nominated members have the same rights and privileges as elected members, with one notable difference — they cannot vote in the election of the President.
The Tenth Schedule, technically known as the anti-defection law, was added to the Constitution in 1985. But its enactment was catalysed by the political instability after the general elections of 1967. This was the time when multiple state governments were toppled after MLAs changed their political loyalties.
The purpose of the 1985 Constitution Amendment was to bring stability to governments by deterring MPs and MLAs from changing their political parties on whose ticket they were elected. The penalty for shifting political loyalties is the loss of parliamentary membership and a bar on becoming a minister.
The law specifies the circumstances under which changing of political parties by MPs invite action under the law.
The law covers three types of scenarios with respect to an MP switching parties.
An analysis of MLAs who switched parties and recontested elections from 2016 to 2020 has found that the BJP was the biggest gainer, while the Congress accounted for the most MLAs who quit to join another party.
Over the years, courts have decided that changing a party or joining another does not have to be a formal act. It can also be interpreted through an MP’s actions, on a case-by-case basis.
When the 1985 law was made, its statement of objects and reasons stated: “The evil of political defections has been a matter of national concern. If it is not combated, it is likely to undermine the very foundations of our democracy and the principles which sustain it.”
Now the continuity and stability of an elected government are decided in Lok Sabha, where a no-confidence motion can be moved against the government.
But the anti-defection law applies equally to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, even though the Upper House has no role in deciding the government’s fate. Earlier versions of the law did not contain the provision for the disqualification of nominated MPs.
