WHAT IS A WHIP?
A whip, in parliamentary language, may refer to a written order to members of a particular party in the House to abide by a certain direction. It may also refer to an official of the party who is authorized to issue such a direction. This term has been derived from the old British practice of “whipping in” lawmakers to follow a party line.
Contents
• Why is Whip in News recently?
• Whip in Australia
• Whip in Canada
• Whip in India
• Whip in Ireland
• Whip in the US
Why is Whip in News recently?
Supreme Court recently observed that Members of a House are bound by the whip. If any section of MLAs belonging to a political party that is part of the ruling coalition does not want to go with the alliance, the MLAs will be disqualified. This observation was made orally by a 5-Judge Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India.
Whip in Australia
The whip ensures that all the senators and members are present in the chamber. There is no official office for the whip like that of the UK.
Whip in Canada
Here, the whip is a member of the political party. He ensures party discipline. The office of the whip prepares and distributes vote sheets. Whip assigns the speakers from his or her party for motions and bills and also during other proceedings in the house.
Whip in India
India inherited the concept of Whip from the UK. Usually, the whips direct the members to vote as instructed by the party. However, the whip cannot bring in such directions during Presidential elections.
Whip in Ireland
Here, the whips meet to set the weekly agenda of the house. The members should get permission from the whips if they are to be absent for a voting session.
Whip in the US
The State legislatures, the House of Senate, and the House of Representatives all have whips in the US. The majority of whips here are the President Pro Tempore. President Pro Tempore is the second highest-ranking official in the Senate. In the absence of the Vice President, the President Pro Tempore acts as the Vice President.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
▪ Under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) a political party has a constitutional right to issue a whip to its legislators.
▪ SC in Kihoto Holohan vs Zachillhu case, 1992 held that the application of the Tenth Schedule is limited to a vote on “motion of confidence” or “no-confidence” in the government or where the motion under consideration relates to a matter which was an integral policy and programme of the political party.
• Paragraph 2(1)(b) provides for a lawmaker’s disqualification “if he votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs”.
Types of Whips
▪ The One-line whip to inform the members about a vote. It allows a member to abstain in case they decide not to follow the party line.
▪ The Two-line whip is issued to direct the members to be present in the House at the time of voting. No special instructions are given on the pattern of voting.
▪ The Three-line whip is issued to members directing them to vote as per the party line. It is the strictest of all the whip.
Functions of Whip
▪ The whip plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of business on the floor of the House.
▪ He is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the attendance of his party members in large numbers and securing their support in favour of or against a particular issue.
▪ He ensures discipline among party members in the House.
▪ He identifies the signs of discontent among MPs and informs the respective leaders of their party.
▪ He or she acts as a binding force in the party and responsible for maintaining the internal party organisation in the Parliament and.
Violation of whip:
If an MP violates his party’s whip, he faces expulsion from the House under the Anti Defection Act.
The only exception is when more than a third of legislators vote against a directive, effectively splitting the party.