MAINS 2013
GS2
10 marks
The role of individual MPs has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention?
WRITE IN
7 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Judge how far the anti-defection law explains the decline of MPs' independent role in debate.
How farAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Intent: curb 'Aya Ram Gaya Ram' defections (52nd Amendment 1985, Tenth Schedule)≈35 words
- 2Effect: whip binds MPs on every vote, so independent views and cross-party debate shrink≈35 words
- 3Other causes: fewer sittings, frequent disruptions, bills passed without committee scrutiny, party centralisation≈35 words
- 4Reforms: limit whips to confidence and money bills; decisions by independent body, not Speaker≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Purpose of lawHow it curbs MPsOther causesVerdict on 'how far'Reforms
Where marks usually go
- Blaming only the law without other causes
- No reform proposals from committees
Draw this
- Bar chart of average Lok Sabha sitting days: first Lok Sabha vs recent ones
Value addition
- CommitteeDinesh Goswami Committee (1990) recommended disqualification only for voluntarily giving up membership or defying whip on confidence motions.Goswami Committee, 1990
- CaseKihoto Hollohan (1992) upheld the Tenth Schedule but made the Speaker's decision subject to judicial review.Supreme Court, 1992
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 17 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.