Dear Editor,
The Tenth Schedule has been largely successful in curbing political defections of MPs and MLAs. However, despite an amendment, in 2003, several issues persist. Matters like whether the Speaker is the right authority to adjudicate matters of defection, the rationality of distinguishing individual and group defection, and illogical discrimination between an independent member and a nominated member need urgent overhaul. There is also a need to ensure that “dissent” and “defection” are differentiated. An amendment to the Schedule addressing all these shortcomings is long overdue.
Sewa Ram
Kathua