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    Question

    How has Anti-defection law impacted the dynamics of the

    Indian Political system? 1. Has provided for greater stability in the respective legislatures by checking the propensity of legislators to change parties. 2. Has completely rooted out party hopping from Indian politics. 3. Has encouraged the legislators’ right to dissent and freedom of conscience. 4. Has given clear-cut constitutional recognition to the existence of political parties. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
    A 1, 2 and 3 only Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B 2 and 3 only Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C 1, 3 and 4 only Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D 1 and 4 only Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    ● Statement 1 and 4 are correct: The law was supposed to and has certainly been able to curb the evil of defection to a great extent. It has reduced corruption as well as nondevelopmental expenditure incurred on a regular election. Political instability caused by frequent and unholy change of allegiance on the part of the legislators of our country has been contained to a very great extent. Moreover, it gives, for the first time, a clear-cut constitutional recognition to the existence of political parties. ● Statement 2 is incorrect: Despite the positives, a very alarming trend of legislators defecting in groups to another party in search of greener pastures is visible. The recent examples of defection in state Assemblies (Goa, Karnataka etc.) and even in Rajya Sabha bear this out. This only shows that the law needs a relook in order to plug the loopholes it obviously has. ● Statement 3 is incorrect: The anti-defection law does not make a differentiation between dissent and defection. It curbs the legislator’s right to dissent and freedom of conscience. It clearly puts party bossism on a pedestal and sanctions tyranny of the party in the name of the party discipline.  

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