Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has been appointed as the chairperson of a committee set up to review the anti-defection law, according to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The announcement was made during the 84th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference.
The anti-defection law, which is part of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule, aims to prevent lawmakers from frequently switching political parties. It allows for the disqualification of legislators if they voluntarily change parties or vote against their party’s instructions. However, if two-thirds of the elected members of a party agree to merge with another party, they are exempt from disqualification.
This decision comes after Narwekar ruled in favor of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena by dismissing the disqualification petitions filed against the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. Narwekar is also currently examining similar petitions filed by Sharad Pawar-founded NCP against the faction led by Ajit Pawar.
The conference, held over two days, discussed plans to increase the accountability and transparency of democratic institutions. Birla praised the idea of establishing communication channels between democratic institutions at different levels.
The All India Presiding Officers’ Conference adopted several resolutions, including urging Parliament and State/UT Legislatures to review and align their rules of procedure and conduct of business. The aim is to enable effective functioning of legislative bodies in accordance with the Constitution. The conference also encouraged capacity-building of grassroots Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies and the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency and transparency. The conference resolved to explore ways to enhance the effectiveness of legislative bodies in enforcing executive accountability and to implement a One Nation, One Legislative Platform for resource and experience sharing between legislatures.
This review of the anti-defection law is an important step in addressing party-switching and maintaining the stability of political parties. Narwekar’s ruling in favor of the Shiv Sena and the ongoing examination of petitions by NCP highlights the significance of this issue in Maharashtra politics. The resolutions adopted by the All India Presiding Officers’ Conference also emphasize the importance of transparency, efficiency, and accountability in democratic institutions. The conference’s focus on technology and capacity-building further highlights the need to adapt to changing times and strengthen democratic practices.
With Narwekar leading the committee, it is expected that a comprehensive review of the anti-defection law will take place, considering the current realities of party-switching and the need for more robust regulations. This review will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Maharashtra politics and ensuring the integrity of the democratic process.
