Why Anti-Defection Law Failed Its Aim & Might Become Even Weaker

Deciding on the fate of 15 rebel Karnataka MLAs, the Supreme Court on Wednesday took a decision that could potentially result in the fall of the Congress-JD(S) government in the state. There are two aspects to the Court’s verdict: It has ruled that the 15 MLAs can’t be compelled to attend the House’s proceedings. This means that they will not be bound by the whip of their respective parties in the trust vote this week. If all 15 MLAs abstain, the strength of the House comes down to 209. BJP with 105 MLAs will be just above the half-way mark. It has refused the MLAs’ request that Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar be instructed to decide on their resignations by 17 July. The Court has ruled that the Speaker should be allowed to arrive at his decision at an appropriate time.