Question

What was the impact of defection on Indian politics? Explain.

Hint:

Defections can cause instability, erode voter trust, and promote opportunism in politics. Laws like the Anti-Defection Law were introduced to prevent this.

Answer 1

The issue of political defection (the act of politicians changing their party allegiance) has been a significant challenge for Indian democracy. It has had several adverse effects on political stability, governance, and party loyalty in the country.
Impact of Defection on Indian Politics:
1. Instability in Governments:
- Defection often leads to the collapse of coalition governments. Since Indian politics is largely multi-party, many governments rely on alliances, which can fall apart if members defect to the opposition. This leads to frequent changes in leadership and political instability.
- A prominent example is the fall of many state governments in the 1980s and 1990s due to defections, which led to a lack of continuity in policies.
2. Undermining Voter Trust:
- Defections create a sense of instability and uncertainty in the minds of voters, as politicians often switch parties for personal gains, leading to a lack of faith in political representatives and institutions.
3. Shift in Political Ideologies:
- Politicians who defect may no longer represent the ideologies or values of their original party, which can confuse voters and lead to a mismatch between the political representatives and their electorate.
- Defections often occur based on opportunistic reasons rather than a commitment to a political ideology.
4. Increased Corruption:
- Defection can be driven by personal or financial incentives, leading to corruption. Politicians may switch parties for material benefits like ministerial positions, government contracts, or financial incentives.
5. Lack of Accountability:
- Defectors often move to parties with better prospects of power, leading to a situation where politicians avoid accountability to their original supporters. This undermines the democratic process, as voters feel their votes no longer matter.
Conclusion:
Defection is a harmful practice in Indian politics, destabilizing governments, reducing public trust, and undermining democratic values. Efforts like the Anti-Defection Law (1985) were introduced to curb this issue, although its effectiveness remains debated.