Consensus eludes presiding officers on the contentious issue of amending the anti-defection law, which continues to hog limelight in States like Maharashtra. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who chaired meeting of presiding officers on Friday, said constitution experts, legal scholars and other stakeholders will be consulted on the matter.
Two divergent views emerged among the members of a committee constituted to examine law, with the majority in favour of giving more power to the Chair, while the minority view suggested that power should be with president of the political party. Birla had constituted three-member committee under Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C P Joshi in 2019 after a lot of deliberation to review and amend anti-defection law.
The recent political developments in Maharashtra and Goa have brought focus back on law. The Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government in Maharashtra collapsed on June 29 following a rebellion by Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and most of party MLAs. Sources said that at meeting, the minority view was that since party president distributes poll tickets, he can decide on fate of the defecting lawmakers. But later, it was felt that any decision in matter requires more inputs from legal luminaries and there was a need to consult law experts. Addressing press conference, Birla said issues like strengthening anti-defection law, awards to outstanding lawmakers and minimum number of sittings of House were discussed at meeting.
"Presiding officers, constitution experts, legal scholars and other stakeholders will be consulted to amend and strengthen the law," Birla said. The 10th Schedule, which deals with anti-defection, was added to the Constitution in 1985 to tackle frequent defections.
Addressing the conference, Birla also discussed expunging certain words from parliamentary proceedings.
He urged the presiding officers to inform the members of the House that no word has been banned. The words which have been expunged on the directions of the Chair have been compiled, he said.
Birla also said that presiding officers should guide the House members about dignified conduct, adding that efforts must be made to enhance the number of sittings of state legislatures.