LI Network
Published on: 29 January, 2024 at 12:35 IST
During the valedictory session of the 84th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the formation of a committee to review the anti-defection law. The committee will be chaired by Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.
The anti-defection law, outlined in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, aims to curb frequent party-switching by legislators.
It mandates the disqualification of elected representatives if they voluntarily switch parties or vote against their party’s direction. However, a provision allows disqualification exemption if two-thirds of elected party members agree to merge with another party.
Rahul Narwekar, who recently ruled in favor of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena by dismissing disqualification petitions against Shiv Sena MLAs, is overseeing similar petitions filed by the NCP against the faction led by Ajit Pawar.
The Presiding Officers’ Conference adopted resolutions urging the review and alignment of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business for effective legislative functioning.
The conference also emphasized capacity-building for grassroots Panchayati Raj institutions, promoting emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, and enhancing legislative bodies’ effectiveness in enforcing executive accountability.
The “One Nation, One Legislative Platform” for resource and experience sharing between legislatures was also proposed for closer engagement with citizens.
