The anti-defection law, while intended to maintain political stability, has several shortcomings that need to be addressed. Critically analyse.

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

4. The anti-defection law, while intended to maintain political stability, has several shortcomings that need to be addressed. Critically analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question: With the defection of MLA M. Sanjay Kumar, who represents the Jagtial constituency in Telangana, from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the ruling Congress, the strength of the principal Opposition has come down from 39 to 33 in the State Assembly. Key Demand of the question: To write about the shortcomings of the anti-defection law and measures needed to fix them. Directive word: Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Write about objectives of anti-defection. Body: First, write about various features of anti-defection pertaining to disqualification. Next, write as to why the anti-defection has been ineffective in preventing defection and horse trading. Substantiate with examples. Next, suggest measures needed to rectify this. Conclusion: Conclude with a way forward.

Why the question:

With the defection of MLA M. Sanjay Kumar, who represents the Jagtial constituency in Telangana, from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the ruling Congress, the strength of the principal Opposition has come down from 39 to 33 in the State Assembly.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the shortcomings of the anti-defection law and measures needed to fix them.

Directive word:

Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Write about objectives of anti-defection.

First, write about various features of anti-defection pertaining to disqualification.

Next, write as to why the anti-defection has been ineffective in preventing defection and horse trading. Substantiate with examples.

Next, suggest measures needed to rectify this.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.