Anti-defection law is pivotal in safeguarding democracy: Sukhvinder Sukhu

Emphasising the pivotal role of the anti-defection law, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday (June 30, 2025) said that, in 2024, an attempt had been made to overthrow a democratically elected government for the first time in the history of the hill State, and the provisions of the anti-defection law had helped safeguard democracy.

Mr. Sukhu’s reference was to the disqualification of six Congress MLAs from the State Assembly after they defied a party Whip directing them to vote in favour of the government during the State Budget in February 2024. This resulted in political turbulence as the six rebel MLAs later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The ruling Congress government was, however, able to dodge the threat at the time. 

The Chief Minister was speaking at the two-day annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (India Region Zone-II) in Dharamsala. Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, inaugurated the event. Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Chief Whips, and Deputy Chief Whips from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir participated.

The importance of the anti-defection law in safeguarding democracy was immense, Mr. Sukhu said. “The State Vidhan Sabha has passed a Bill to stop the pensions of disqualified legislators. The Bill is currently awaiting the Governor’s approval,” he added.

Himachal Pradesh has become a model for other States, especially in digital democracy, Mr. Sukhu also said. “In 2014, the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha became the first completely paperless Assembly in the country, with all proceedings conducted digitally,” the CM said.

“A nation cannot prosper if States don’t progress. Himachal has suffered due to the implementation of GST. Therefore, a separate policy should be formulated for hill States,” he said.

The conference of parliamentarians is a significant initiative towards strengthening democratic institutions, legislative processes, democratic dialogue, and regional co-operation, Mr. Sukhu said.