Party whip
Also called: Whip · Topic: Political Parties, Party Systems and Anti-defection · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 7 "Elections"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Legislature"; Class 12, Ch 5 "Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System"
Meaning
A party whip is the party's direction to its legislators on how to vote in the House, and on whether to be present. Under paragraph 2(1)(b) of the Tenth Schedule, a member who votes or abstains against the whip can be disqualified. They are safe only if the party condones (forgives) this within 15 days. The whip covers votes inside the House only, so cross-voting in a Rajya Sabha election is not a ground for disqualification.
Example
In 1969 Congress president Nijalingappa issued a whip to vote for N. Sanjiva Reddy in the presidential election. Indira Gandhi called for a "conscience vote" instead, V.V. Giri won, and the party split. In Subhash Desai (2023), the Supreme Court held that the political party, not the legislature party, appoints the whip.
Don't confuse with
- Voluntarily giving up membership (paragraph 2(1)(a)): this ground covers leaving the party, which can be judged from conduct, as held in Ravi S. Naik (1994). It does not depend on how the member votes.
Related concepts
- Defection
- 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act 1985
- Anti-defection law
- Legislature party
- Independent and nominated members under anti-defection law
- Ravi S. Naik case
- Presiding officer's exemption