Answer:

The Tenth Schedule, which is popularly known as the Anti-defection Law, was added to the Constitution through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985. The law provides the following grounds for disqualification:

♤ Member of Parliament or State Legislature belonging to a political party is deemed to have defected if:

o He either voluntarily resigns or gives up the membership of his political party, or

o He disobeys the directives of the party leadership on a vote or abstains from voting without taking prior permission within 15 days from such voting or abstention.

♤ An independent candidate joins the party after the election.

♤ A nominated member joins a party six months after becoming an MP/MLA.

Over a period of time, the Anti-defection Law has been exposed to different situations, which have highlighted both its merits and demerits.