Congress Leader Demands Reform of Anti-Defection Law in Indian Parliament

During the current monsoon session of Parliament, while the focus of the opposition has been on issues such as student protests and Ayodhya theft, senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP from Chandigarh, Manish Tewari, has been consistently demanding a discussion on one issue: the anti-defection law. According to the official records of the Lok Sabha, Tewari has given 14 adjournment notices so far during the current session. Of these, 13 motions sought a wider discussion on reforming the anti-defection law. The only exception was on 28 July, when he moved an adjournment motion to discuss the use of pellet guns against unarmed protesters. Through an adjournment motion, MPs, on receiving the Speaker's assent, can seek a discussion on an issue of urgent public importance by stalling the scheduled business of the House. Speaking to India Today Digital, Tewari said that the anti-defection law needs a comprehensive reform as it "betrays the faith of the people" in the party in the face of India's parliamentary democracy.