Members of Zilla Parishads and Urban local Bodies (UlBs) would, from now on, be disqualified if they decide to switch their political allegiance after being elected.
The State Assembly on Monday enacted two important legislations in this regard, the Odisha Zilla Parishad Amendment Bill and the Odisha Municipal laws (Second Amendment) Bill to bring the anti-defection measures into effect.
“An elected member belonging to any political party, who voluntarily gives up his membership of such political party, shall be disqualified from membership of that parishad,” Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Sahoo, who had introduced the Bill in the House, said.
The same provision would also be applicable in case of municipal bodies, Sahoo added.
However, the Minister clarified that membership would not be affected if a member’s political party merges with another.
The new legislation stated that the question of disqualification on the ground of defection would be decided by the State Election Commission.