New Delhi, July 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking an urgent discussion on the need for a new anti-defection law to prevent mass political defections while protecting genuine ideological dissent.
In his notice submitted to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Tewari requested suspension of the scheduled business of the House to discuss reforms related to the existing anti-defection framework.
Tewari argued that a revised law should prevent defections driven by political opportunism while ensuring that lawmakers have space to express legitimate differences on policy and ideology.
“I move that this House do suspend Question Hour, Zero Hour and all other listed business of the day to discuss the need for a New Anti-Defection Law that proscribes Mass Political Defections driven by opportunism and bereft of any genuine ideological or policy differences while simultaneously providing space for honest and critical dissent,” he said in his notice.
He urged the government to allow a detailed discussion on the issue, describing it as a matter of urgent importance.
The demand comes amid renewed political debate over the effectiveness of the anti-defection law and recent developments involving party switches across states and Parliament.
Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has also approached the Supreme Court challenging the interpretation of provisions under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. He has argued that the current understanding of merger provisions has weakened the purpose of the anti-defection law.
The issue has gained further attention following political shifts, including the joining of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs with the Shiv Sena and the induction of seven rebel Rajya Sabha members from the Aam Aadmi Party into the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The anti-defection law was introduced through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment in 1985 and incorporated into the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. It was enacted to prevent elected representatives from changing political allegiance for personal or political gains.
Under the existing provisions, legislators can face disqualification for voluntarily giving up party membership, voting against the party whip without permission, or violating certain restrictions related to party affiliation.
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