Congress MP Manish Tewari has introduced a private member’s bill in Lok Sabha to amend the anti-defection law. The proposed changes aim to allow MPs to vote independently on most bills and motions, except those affecting government stability. This move seeks to free parliamentarians from party whips and promote better lawmaking. File photo: Congress MP Manish Tewari (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manish Tewari has introduced a private member’s bill in Lok Sabha that seeks to allow parliamentarians to take an independent line in voting on bills and motions other than those affecting govt’s stability. This he sees as a way of promoting good lawmaking and freeing MPs from “whip-driven tyranny”.On X, the Chandigarh MP shared a media report on his bill and said, “My private member’s bill to amend the 10th schedule introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday for the third time – 2010, 2021, and now, in 2025.” In the bill’s statement of objects it is highlighted that the 10th schedule in the Constitution, popularly known as the anti-defection law, was added by the Constitution (Fifty-second amendment) Act, 1985.It also stated that at present, the 10th schedule provides for disqualification of a member if he votes or abstains from voting in the House, contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs to.Tewari through this bill seeks an amendment to provide for a provision that an MP shall incur loss of membership only when the MP votes or abstains from voting in the House with regard to a confidence motion, no-confidence motion, adjournment motion, money bill or financial matters contrary to any direction issued by the party to which the member belongs to, and in no other case.The proposed amendment also calls for making room for a provision requiring the chairman or speaker of the House to make an announcement in the House regarding any direction issued by a political party in respect of the aforesaid motions. While making such an announcement, the chairman or the speaker shall also specifically inform members that defiance of the direction issued by a political party will result in automatic cessation of membership.He also proposed that a member should have the right to appeal against the cessation of membership to chairman or speaker, as the case may be, within 15 days from the date of such cessation and the appeal shall be disposed of within a period of 60 days from the date of its receipt. Asked by PTI if the bill aims to remove “tyranny of whip & promote good lawmaking”, he said “absolutely”.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Unconstitutional Move”: PTI Hits Out at Asim Munir’s Defence Chief Appointment“Crew Safety Was At Risk…” Expert on DGCA’s Show-Cause Notice to IndiGo CEO“We’ll Strike Again If Needed”: Navy Chief Issues Stern Warning To Pakistan”Congress Destroyed Patel, Bose Legacies” BJP Lambasts Sonia Gandhi Over ‘Defaming Nehru’ Remark”World Saw What Happened To Terrorists…” Rajnath says Strong Borders Powered Op Sindoor successIndiGo Fiasco: Civil Aviation Minister Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Monopoly Model’ RemarkWATCH: Newly Built NH 66 Stretch Collapses In Kerala’s Kollam; School Bus, Other Vehicles Trapped‘Nothing Wrong In It’: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor On PM Modi Gifting Bhagavad Gita To Putin’I Regret That…’: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor On No Invite To Rahul, Kharge For Putin DinnerGoa: 23 Killed In Arpora Nightclub Fire; Cylinder Blast Suspected, CM Sawant Vows Strict Action123Photostories5 new and trending winter accessories you need right nowYour soul purpose as per your birth month; goosebumps guaranteed!10 best natural sources of vitamin C to boost immunity and health10 questions that surprisingly deepen emotional intimacyBigg Boss 19: From being praised for his calm gameplay to Salman Khan calling him ‘Superstar of TV’; finalist Gaurav Khanna’s journey in the show’Bigg Boss 19′: Friendships that stood strong this seasonBigg Boss 19 Highlights: Salman Khan to announce winner from Top 5 finalists Gaurav Khanna, Farrhana Bhatt, Tanya Mittal, Amaal Mallik and Pranit MoreColorectal surgeon shares 5 things she avoids to lower colon cancer riskBigg Boss 19: From opening up about his strained relationship with uncle Anu Malik, his aggressive fights to nepotism debate: A look at finalist Amaal Mallik’s journeyRaw amla vs amla juice: Which is healthier123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingGautam GambhirThe God Slayer Release DateRohit SharmaMurali VijayAryna Sabalenka Net WorthTim PoolAaron RodgersVirat KohliTiger WoodsBengaluru News
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manish Tewari has introduced a private member’s bill in Lok Sabha that seeks to allow parliamentarians to take an independent line in voting on bills and motions other than those affecting govt’s stability. This he sees as a way of promoting good lawmaking and freeing MPs from “whip-driven tyranny”.On X, the Chandigarh MP shared a media report on his bill and said, “My private member’s bill to amend the 10th schedule introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday for the third time – 2010, 2021, and now, in 2025.” In the bill’s statement of objects it is highlighted that the 10th schedule in the Constitution, popularly known as the anti-defection law, was added by the Constitution (Fifty-second amendment) Act, 1985.It also stated that at present, the 10th schedule provides for disqualification of a member if he votes or abstains from voting in the House, contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs to.Tewari through this bill seeks an amendment to provide for a provision that an MP shall incur loss of membership only when the MP votes or abstains from voting in the House with regard to a confidence motion, no-confidence motion, adjournment motion, money bill or financial matters contrary to any direction issued by the party to which the member belongs to, and in no other case.The proposed amendment also calls for making room for a provision requiring the chairman or speaker of the House to make an announcement in the House regarding any direction issued by a political party in respect of the aforesaid motions. While making such an announcement, the chairman or the speaker shall also specifically inform members that defiance of the direction issued by a political party will result in automatic cessation of membership.He also proposed that a member should have the right to appeal against the cessation of membership to chairman or speaker, as the case may be, within 15 days from the date of such cessation and the appeal shall be disposed of within a period of 60 days from the date of its receipt. Asked by PTI if the bill aims to remove “tyranny of whip & promote good lawmaking”, he said “absolutely”.
