Central idea: The article aims to demystify the concept of whip and provide clarity on its role and importance in the functioning of state assemblies and parliament in India.

Who is a Whip?

• A whip is an official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature.
• This means ensuring that members of the party vote according to the party platform, rather than according to their own individual ideology or the will of their donors or constituents.
• Whips are the party’s “enforcers”.
• They try to ensure that their fellow political party legislators attend voting sessions and vote according to their party’s official policy.
• Members who vote against party policy may “lose the whip”, effectively expelling them from the party.

Whips in India

• In India, the concept of the whip was inherited from colonial British rule.
• Every major political party appoints a whip who is responsible for the party’s discipline and behaviors on the floor of the house.
• Usually, they direct the party members to stick to the party’s stand on certain issues and directs them to vote as per the direction of senior party members.

What happens if a whip is disobeyed?

• A legislator may face disqualification proceedings if she/he disobeys the whip of the party unless the number of lawmakers defying the whip is 2/3rds of the party’s strength in the house.
• Disqualification is decided by the Speaker/Chairman of the house.

Limitations of whip

• There are some cases such as Presidential elections where whips cannot direct a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to vote in a particular fashion.

Types of whips

There are three types of whips or instructions issued by the party

• One-line whip: One-line whip is issued to inform members of a party about a vote. It allows a member to abstain in case they decide not to follow the party line.
• Two-line whip: Two-line whip is issued to direct the members to be present in the House at the time of voting.
• Three-line whip: Three-line whip is issued to members directing them to vote as per the party line.

Need for Whips

• Collective decision-making: The need for a whip arises from the fact that political parties operate on the principle of collective decision-making.
• Fulfill election promises: The whip ensures that the party’s agenda is advanced, and its promises to the electorate are fulfilled, which is essential for the functioning of a healthy democracy.
• Maintain policy cohesiveness: This requires the party to work together as a cohesive unit and ensure that its members vote in a coordinated manner on important legislative matters.
• Address differing opinions: There may be disagreements and differing opinions on certain matters, and this can lead to disunity and chaos within the party.
• Ensure party discipline: To prevent such situations, political parties appoint whips who are responsible for ensuring party discipline and ensuring that all members vote in accordance with the party’s position.

Conclusion

• The whip’s role is therefore crucial in maintaining party discipline and facilitating the smooth functioning of legislative business.
• Without a whip, it would be difficult for parties to ensure that their members vote in a coordinated manner, and this could lead to legislative gridlock and inefficiency.

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