Congress Member of Parliament Abhishek Manu Singhvi called for the abolition of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution to reform anti-defection laws [1].
This proposal seeks to end the practice of party-hopping by requiring legislators who leave their parties to resign and re-contest elections. Such a change would fundamentally alter how political stability and representative mandates are handled in India's parliamentary system.
Singhvi addressed the issue within the context of the political crisis involving the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal [1]. He said that the current legal framework fails to prevent opportunistic shifts in party loyalty, which can destabilize regional governments.
"The 10th Schedule is a farce," Singhvi said. "Defectors must resign their seats and re-contest elections properly" [2].
The current anti-defection law is designed to prevent legislators from switching parties for personal or political gain. However, Singhvi said that the existing rules are insufficient to maintain the integrity of the democratic mandate. By forcing defectors to seek a fresh mandate from voters, the proposed reform would move the decision-making power from the legislator back to the electorate.
Singhvi's comments highlight a growing tension between party discipline and the individual agency of lawmakers. The push for reform suggests that the current system may be facilitating political instability rather than preventing it, particularly in volatile political landscapes like West Bengal [1].
If implemented, these changes would require a constitutional amendment. Such a move would likely face significant debate in Parliament, as it would impact the strategic calculations of all major political parties regarding coalition building, and seat retention [1].
“The 10th Schedule is a farce.”
The call to abolish the 10th Schedule represents a shift toward a more direct accountability model for lawmakers. By removing the legal protections that currently manage party switching and replacing them with a requirement for re-election, the proposal aims to reduce the influence of political horse-trading and ensure that a representative's seat is tied to their current political affiliation as recognized by the voters.
