Manish Tewari submits adjournment notice in Lok Sabha seeking discussion on new anti-defection law to curb opportunistic mass defections

New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking the suspension of Question Hour, Zero Hour, and all other listed business of the day to discuss the need for a new anti-defection law to curb what he termed "mass political defections" driven by opportunism.
In his notice addressed to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, Tewari stated that he intended to move a motion for the adjournment of the House's business to discuss "a definite matter of urgent public importance."
"I move that this House do suspend Question Hour, Zero Hour, and all other listed business of the day to discuss the contours of a new Anti-Defection Law that proscribes Mass Political Defections driven by opportunism and bereft of any genuine ideological or policy differences while simultaneously providing space for honest and critical dissent both inside and outside Parliament and the legislatures," the notice read.
Tewari said the proposed discussion should focus on framing an anti-defection law that discourages politically motivated defections while safeguarding the space for principled dissent within Parliament and state legislatures.
The Congress MP urged the government to adjourn the scheduled business of the House and allow a full discussion on the issue, describing it as a matter of urgent importance.
According to the revised List of Business issued by the House, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to introduce the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Bill seeks to further amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026. Sitharaman will move for leave to introduce the legislation and subsequently introduce the Bill in the House.
The Finance Minister will also lay on the Table an explanatory statement, in Hindi and English, outlining the reasons for immediate legislation through the promulgation of the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 (No. 2 of 2026).
The Lok Sabha will thereafter take up discussion on the Demands for Excess Grants for 2022-23. After the discussion concludes, Sitharaman will introduce the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026--seeking parliamentary approval for expenditure incurred during the financial year ended March 31, 2023, in excess of the amounts originally granted--and will move for its consideration and passage.
The House will also hear statements from ministers on the implementation of recommendations made by parliamentary standing committees. Union Minister Jitin Prasada will make a statement on the implementation of recommendations relating to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani will make a statement on recommendations concerning the Department of Land Resources, while Minister of State Bhagirath Choudhary will present a statement on the implementation of recommendations related to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
The House is also scheduled to consider and pass the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which aims to modernise the legal framework governing evidence relating to bankers' books by aligning it with contemporary digital banking practices. The day's agenda also includes Matters under Rule 377 before the House takes up the remaining legislative business. (ANI)