The Role of People's Representatives in Parliament: Striking a Balance between Party Loyalty and People's Voice

In the process of lawmaking, our representatives in Parliament are not allowed to vote based on their individual decisions. Instead, they are expected to follow the directives of their political party when casting their votes. This ensures a cohesive approach within the party during legislative proceedings.

The phrase "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" has been frequently reiterated. However, if a government formed by the people fails to work for the benefit of its citizens, it can be disastrous for any democratic nation. The primary essence of democracy lies in the fact that the government should strive for the welfare of the people, rather than being solely focused on the interests of the political party. In a democratic country, the government is responsible for enacting laws that promote the well-being of its citizens while upholding constitutional principles. Unfortunately, in our country (India), recent government activities have witnessed the implementation of laws that appear draconian, often placing people in harsh and challenging circumstances.

Instances such as the passage of the farm bill without following regular procedures highlight this concern. Additionally, the draft Environment Impact Assessment 2020, which is set to be enacted, is feared to curtail the fundamental rights of the common person. Before a bill is passed by Parliament, it goes through a legal process, during which all candidates are expected to vote on the proposed legislation. However, while exercising their voting rights, candidates must adhere to the guidelines and directives provided by their respective political parties, effectively relinquishing their personal rights. In other words, candidates possess the freedom to vote in Parliament but are unable to vote against their party's directives. Consequently, candidates' rights are often curtailed by their respective political parties.

 

In India, laws are formulated in Parliament, where elected members, representing the people, gather to enact legislation for the betterment and prosperity of the nation. However, the candidates we elect and send to Parliament to represent us often succumb to the influence of political parties, rendering them mere puppets. These elected candidates are prohibited from speaking against their political party or voting against party lines while in Parliament. The Anti-Defection Law stipulates that any candidate who votes or abstains from voting in contradiction to their party's direction, without prior permission, and without the party's subsequent approval within 15 days, will face disqualification. In essence, this law mandates that the candidates we elect to Parliament to enact laws on our behalf must seek permission from their party to cast their votes during the legislative process. This severely restricts their ability to vote independently. Consequently, the purpose of electing such candidates comes into question, as they no longer act in accordance with the will of the people but rather as employees of their political parties. The candidates elected by the people become servants of their parties, serving party interests rather than the interests of the people. This undermines the essence of the slogan "of the people, for the people, by the people," as these representatives fail to truly represent the people who elected them but instead prioritize their party's agenda even within Parliament. Even if a candidate believes a law is not in the public's best interest and wishes to vote against a bill proposed by a party member, they are required to vote in favor of their party's direction. This demonstrates that our representatives in Parliament (Lok Sabha) do not possess the freedom to vote according to their own conscience.

 

Therefore, it is imperative to establish more comprehensive legislation concerning the voting rights of candidates involved in the lawmaking process. Such laws should be transparent and fair, ensuring that candidates are not bound by the pressures exerted by their political parties. Only then can they effectively represent the views and opinions of the people they serve. They should be able to vote openly without any external pressures, including those from their political parties. It is only through this approach that we can witness the creation of laws that are genuinely people-friendly.