What is a Party Whip?
The Vice President of India has expressed concerns regarding the use of party whips in Parliament, questioning their impact on limiting the independent judgment of elected representatives.
- A whip in Parliament is a directive issued by a political party to its members in the legislature, instructing them on how to vote during discussions and decisions on specific bills, motions, or resolutions.
- Also, the whip is also the designated party member responsible for ensuring attendance and adherence to these directives.
- The primary objective of a whip is to maintain party discipline, ensure uniformity in decision-making, and avoid defections or dissent within the party ranks.
- The term “whip” originates from England’s hunting fields, where a whipper-in kept stray hounds within the pack.
- It is not mentioned in the Constitution, Rules of the House, or any parliamentary statute, and is based on parliamentary conventions.
- Types of Whips:
- One-Line Whip: Informs members about an important vote, allowing abstention without penalty.
- Two-Line Whip: This mandates the presence of members during a vote but does not explicitly require them to vote in a particular manner.
- Three-Line Whip: The strictest form, requiring members to attend the vote and align their vote with the party’s directive.
