More teeth for anti-defection law
The ruling United Front leaders today decided, in principle, to go ahead with its move to give more teeth to the anti-defection law.
The decision, reportedly taken at the UF steering committee meeting, intends to put an end to ''the misuse of the law, like in the case of Uttar Pradesh, for usurping power''.
Front convener and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu
Naidu said the meeting also discussed various other issues.
He refused to divulge what exactly transpired at the
meeting, but said his party was ''firm on keeping up moral values in
politics'', indicating that the Front was determined to tighten the anti-defection law.
Briefing the media in the evening, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy said the discussion remained inconclusive as the members sought ''in depth consultation before amending the law''.
Reddy said a ''balance was sought to be struck by the UF constituents between dissent and discipline regarding the proposed amendment''.
Though the minister declined to elaborate, it was obvious there was a difference of opinion on the proposed amendments.
A senior Janata Dal member said there was ''divergence of opinion'' between the Left and his party on the issue.
Denying this, Reddy said the UF was ''keen on a consensus on the issue''.
Asked to explain the Left parties's stand, he said, ''They sought more time.''
Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap said his approach paper envisages the defectors's resignation from the legislature for violating the mandate given to them and their not being given any ministerial berths. The
existing provision of one-third strength for effecting a division
should be raised to half or two-third of the party strength in
the legislature, he said.
UNI and Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
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