Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram: A History of Party Hopping
Understanding the phenomenon of defections in Indian politics and the Anti-Defection Law.
By Historian
The phrase "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" was coined in 1967 when Haryana MLA Gaya Lal changed his party thrice in a fortnight. Decades later, the phenomenon is still alive and kicking.
The Anti-Defection Law (1985)
The Tenth Schedule was introduced to curb this instability. It disqualifies legislators who:
- Voluntarily give up membership of their party.
- Vote against party directives (the Whip).
The Loophole
However, the law allows for mergers. If two-thirds of a party's legislators merge with another party, they are exempt from disqualification. This has become the modern tool for toppling governments.
Recent Case Studies
- Maharashtra (2022): The split in Shiv Sena.
- Karnataka (2019): Resignations leading to a government collapse.
Is it time to revisit the Tenth Schedule? Let us know your thoughts.