Congress MP Manish Tewari Seeks to End Party Whip System, Promote Independent Voting in Parliament

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Congress MP Manish Tewari has introduced a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha, aiming to amend the anti-defection law and allow lawmakers to vote freely on bills and motions. Currently, elected members are bound by party whips, which Tewari calls "whip-driven tyranny." The proposed legislation seeks to promote "good lawmaking" by giving lawmakers the freedom to make informed decisions, rather than simply following party lines. Tewari's bill is not without exceptions, however. Trust votes, adjournment motions, money bills, and other matters affecting government stability would still be subject to party whips. The senior Congress leader argues that this system stifles independent thinking and good governance. Tewari has introduced similar bills in the past, but has yet to succeed. His latest attempt comes at a time when the Congress party is facing internal challenges and electoral losses. The MP has taken stances different from his party on various issues, including his recent participation in the government's global outreach efforts after Operation Sindoor. According to Tewari, the current system turns lawmakers into "lobotomised numbers" and "dogmatic ciphers." He believes that laws are often pushed through without discussion, and that parliamentarians do not see themselves as active participants in the lawmaking process. The MP argues that good lawmaking requires a more nuanced approach, where lawmakers research and contribute to the proceedings. He notes that, prior to the introduction of the anti-defection law, whips carried no coercive consequences, and that the law has not been effective in preventing defections. Tewari's bill is the latest in a series of private member's bills introduced by Congress leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, who have sought to bring about significant changes to the legislative process.