Cut Speaker's powers, says panel

Hyderabad: The anti-defection law serves no purpose as Assembly Speakers have become pawns in the hands of ruling parties, legal experts and senior leaders said at a seminar on Sunday. They expressed concern over the increasing number of defections from all political parties, which is making a mockery of democracy they said.

They were unanimous in their demand that the Election Commission should be vested with the power to disqualify defectors as Speakers had failed to check the menace. They wanted a Constitutional amendment which disqualifies a member from the Legislature automatically upon defection.

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Jeevan Reddy said, “Till the 1980s, Speaker’s office commanded respect. This is not the case anymore as Speakers became biased and turned pawns in the hands of ruling parties. Imagine a situation wherein 50 parties win about 10 seats each in the Lok Sabha. The decision taken by Speakers in such situations will create havoc in the country. Speakers are not accepting the judiciary’s role on the issue though the courts have the powers as per Article 122. The power of disqualifying defected members should be accorded to the President or the Governor in recommendation with the EC.”

Echoing similar views, another former apex court judge Justice Sudarshan Reddy said, “Purchasing Opposition members has become a common thing. Speakers who have to take impartial decisions have become biased due to the ruling parties. Democracy is at risk on account of this."