A recent petition filed in the Supreme Court seeking to mandate elected independent candidates to join a political party within three days of their victory raises significant questions about the functioning of parliamentary democracy in the country. However, the proposed solution, which calls for binding independent members to join a political party within a rigid three-day timeline, may infringe upon the rights of elected representatives and limit political diversity within the assemblies. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between preventing potential abuse of power and respecting the democratic rights of elected representatives. The proposed solution, if implemented, may inadvertently suppress political diversity and hin­der the true representation of the electorate. While the concerns raised in the petition are valid, the proposed solution requires careful consideration of its potential impact on democratic princi­ples.

Source: The Nation February 12, 2024 22:08 UTC