Story perspectives

Kapil Sibal Proposes 10-Year Ban on Defecting MPs

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 4:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kapil Sibal proposed a ten-year ban on MPs and MLAs who defect during a term.
He made the proposal at a Kerala State Lawyers Union event on 13 September 2026.
Sibal said defections motivated by cash, office, contracts or inquiry suppression should count as corruption, not ordinary politics.
The Cockroach Janta Party welcomed the ten-year ban and urged a twenty-year prohibition on any public office for party-switchers.

History

Historical Context

In 1985 Rajiv Gandhi’s government passed the 52nd Amendment, inserting the Tenth Schedule to curb floor-crossing that had seen nearly 50 % of legislators defect in the 1967-71 elections. The Supreme Court’s 1992 ruling affirmed a six-month disqualification period, reinforcing the law. On 13 September 2026 Kapil Sibal urged the Kerala State Lawyers Union to extend the ban to ten years, aiming to further curb defections.

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Story summary

Kapil Sibal proposed a ten-year ban on MPs and MLAs who defect during a term.
He made the proposal at a Kerala State Lawyers Union event on 13 September 2026.
Sibal said defections motivated by cash, office, contracts or inquiry suppression should count as corruption, not ordinary politics.
The Cockroach Janta Party welcomed the ten-year ban and urged a twenty-year prohibition on any public office for party-switchers.

1 / 2