Overview
- The proposal would amend the Tenth Schedule so MPs risk losing their seats only for defying party directions on confidence, no-confidence, adjournment, money bills or financial matters.
- For all other legislation and motions, members would be free to vote independently rather than follow a party whip.
- The draft requires the Speaker or Chairman to publicly announce such party directions and warn that defiance results in automatic cessation of membership.
- Affected members would have 15 days to appeal to the presiding officer, with a decision mandated within 60 days.
- Presented in the Lok Sabha during the winter session, the bill is Tewari’s third iteration since 2010 and, as a private member’s bill, is unlikely to pass without broad political backing.