Opposition MPs Push for Anti-Defection Law Overhaul and Cauvery Water Debate in Parliament
On the eighth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, opposition members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha submitted notices seeking to suspend regular business to discuss issues ranging from electoral reforms to inter-state water disputes.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manish Tewari gave a notice for an adjournment motion, demanding a comprehensive discussion on the necessity of a new Anti-Defection Law. Mr. Tewari argued that the current legal framework requires an overhaul to prevent mass floor-crossing driven by political opportunism.
The Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also featured prominently, with opposition MPs calling for a debate on the matter. The dispute, which has been ongoing for decades, has seen renewed tensions between the two states.
The notices come a day after the Lok Sabha debated the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, ending a week-long logjam. The bill aims to curb malpractices in public examinations.
The government is yet to indicate whether it will allow these discussions. Parliamentary proceedings are expected to continue with further debates on pending legislation.
