Defections are done and effected by MLAs whose character are predominantly inherent within the ethos of a defecting individual. Sometimes the local people of the constituency play a dominant role in influencing the decisions taken by the MLAs . He/she may change loyalties for the sake of power or for monetary gains, or sometimes due to caste or religious alignments to produce majority status to particular parties. To tackle the defection menace, parliament constituted an anti- defection law in 1987 and added it to the Constitution under the 52nd amendment of the 10th schedule. The Speaker has the power to disqualify defectors or to dismiss petitions filed by opposition members of the house. Crafty defectors in order to bypass the disqualifications process opt to put in their resignations, only to stand for re-election and be re-elected on an opposition ticket. Recent happenings in Goa, Maharashtra, MP, Karnataka give ample proof of the above findings.
