Manish Tewari Proposes Legislative Overhaul to Curb Political Defections

Congress MP Manish Tewari has filed an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha demanding an immediate debate on a new anti-defection law. He argues the current framework fails to address mass floor-crossing driven by opportunism, calling for a system that suppresses mercenary switching while safeguarding the right to principled dissent.

Editorial·August 3, 2026·reads: 2,191

Manish Tewari Proposes Legislative Overhaul to Curb Political Defections

Tewari’s proposal seeks to suspend all scheduled business, including Question Hour and Zero Hour, to address what he describes as a crisis of political integrity. The existing Tenth Schedule, established by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment in 1985, governs disqualification for party switching. However, critics suggest the law has become insufficient to handle modern political maneuvers that lack genuine ideological shifts.

The legislative push coincides with broader parliamentary friction. Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury recently submitted a separate motion demanding an independent audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. As the Monsoon Session progresses, these persistent Opposition demands for accountability suggest a volatile week ahead for government business, as the ruling coalition struggles to advance its legislative agenda amidst mounting procedural challenges.