Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently criticized the use of party whips, stating that they restrict MPs’ freedom of expression by enforcing a party line.

What is a whip?

A whip is a written instruction issued to party members, directing them how to vote on specific issues. 

Origin of the Term “Whip”

• The term “whip” originates from the hunting fields of England, where a “whipper-in” was responsible for keeping hounds in line. 
• In politics, the term was popularized by Anglo-Irish politician Edmund Burke, who used it metaphorically to describe efforts to gather party members for voting.

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History of the Whip System in India

• The whip system in India dates back to the country’s parliamentary history. 
• It is essential for maintaining party discipline, especially during critical votes. 

Types of Whips

1. One-Line Whip

• Description: Underlined once, this whip is issued to inform party members about an upcoming vote.
• Flexibility: Members are allowed to abstain from voting if they choose not to follow the party line.
• Purpose: Primarily serves as a notification rather than a strict directive.

2. Two-Line Whip

• Description: This whip directs party members to be present during the vote.
• Flexibility: While it mandates attendance, it does not specify how members should vote.
• Purpose: Ensures that members are present to support the party, but leaves some room for individual discretion in voting.

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3. Three-Line Whip

• Description: The strictest form of whip, underlined three times, used on critical occasions such as a no-confidence motion.
• Obligation: Members are required to be present and vote in accordance with the party line.
• Consequences: If a member violates a three-line whip the leader of the party can recommend his or her disqualification to the Presiding Officer of the House. 
  • As per the Anti-Defection Law, disqualification can happen for violation of a three-line whip. 
• Purpose: Ensures strict party discipline and unity during crucial parliamentary decisions.

Who Enforces the Whip System?

• Chief Whip: The chief whip of a political party holds the most significant responsibility in enforcing the whip system.
  • Function: They ensure that party members are informed about the party’s stance on important issues and are present during critical votes.
• Additional Whips: Apart from the chief whip, there are additional whips who assist in managing party discipline and ensuring member compliance.
• Minister of Parliamentary Affairs: The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs serves as the government’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha.
  • He can request leaders of all parties within the ruling alliance to issue a three-line whip to their members, ensuring their presence and adherence to the party line during crucial votes.
• Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs: In the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs acts as the government’s chief whip.
  • Similar to the role in the Lok Sabha, this minister ensures that members of the ruling party or coalition follow the party line during important votes.

Significance of the Whip System

• Parliamentary Functioning: The whip system ensures that parties can maintain their strength and unity during crucial votes.
  • For ruling parties or coalitions, full attendance and compliance during divisions (voting) are seen as indicators of their majority strength. 
  • Failure to demonstrate this can lead to no-confidence motions.
• Promoting Party Discipline: The whip system helps to ensure that party members remain loyal to the party’s decisions, contributing to a cohesive legislative agenda.
• Enforcing Party Ideology: The whip system is a tool for political parties to ensure that their MPs or MLAs vote in line with the party’s ideologies and policies.
• Effective Legislation: A strong whip system ensures that important legislation passes smoothly, especially when the ruling party has a thin majority and requires full participation from its members.

Criticism of the Whip System

• Suppressing Individual Choice: Critics argue that the whip system undermines the freedom of conscience of lawmakers, pressuring them to vote in a manner contrary to their personal or regional interests.
• Increased Political Pressure: The fear of disciplinary actions, including suspension or expulsion, may place undue pressure on MPs or MLAs, compelling them to comply with party instructions even when they disagree with the party stance.
• Undemocratic Elements: Some believe that the whip system contributes to a culture of political conformity, rather than promoting healthy debate and decision-making based on individual views.

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