The Tenth Schedule, popularly known as the ‘Anti Defection Law,’ was introduced in 1985 to uphold political stability and combat the menace of political defections in India.
The Constitution of India initially lacked provisions for defection, prompting the need for an anti-defection law in the 1960s. The law was formalized due to rampant defections, exemplified by incidents like the famous 'Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram' episode.
The history of the Anti-Defection Law dates back to the 1960s, marked by significant defection incidents that led to political instability. The law's journey from proposal to enactment in 1985 under the 52nd Constitutional Amendment is crucial.
The Tenth Schedule was incorporated to curb defection among elected representatives. It outlines conditions under which legislators may be disqualified for switching parties, emphasizing the stability of elected governments.
The Tenth Schedule specifies grounds for disqualification due to defection, including voluntarily giving up party membership and voting against party directives.
Despite its implementation, the Anti-Defection Law faces challenges in effectively curbing defections and maintaining legislative integrity. Instances in states like Tamil Nadu and Goa highlight ongoing issues.
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