March 10 is round the corner and all eyes are on the counting day. However, we need to keep our fingers crossed that this time around the defection saga of 2017 is not repeated.
The anti-defection law in its present form is redundant. It enables two-thirds defection and legislators will now be emboldened with court order.
Habitual defectors must be already planning their strategies and voters can do nothing about it.
The idea of sit-in at their residences will be no deterrent, neither the oaths and sworn affidavits will have any effect.
The Centre or the courts must step in and come out with a simple legislation to tackle defections.
Defectors must be banned for two terms and barred from holding any office of profit. Emoluments, freebies must be decided by a Commission and their pension should be discontinued. Legislators resigning and seeking re-election must pay for all the election process. Convicted persons and those with criminal cases should be barred from contesting.
