Venkaiah Naidu calls for stricter anti-defection law, flags ‘freebie’ culture

Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday called for stricter implementation of the Anti-Defection Law and urged amendments to the 10th Schedule of the Constitution to make it more robust.

Addressing a function here where a book on him was released, Mr. Naidu expressed concern over the growing trend of elected representatives switching parties. He said there should be a clear timeline for disqualification in such cases. “The process must be triggered within three months of a legislator changing parties,” he said.

He noted that the issue has become increasingly common, with leaders competing to defect. Referring to past instances, he said criticism had arisen when leaders such as C.M. Ramesh, Sujana Chowdary and T.G. Venkatesh switched parties during his tenure as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. “I did not appreciate such developments then either,” he said.

Mr. Naidu pointed out that in Telangana, several petitions related to defections by MLAs remain pending before the Speaker. “It is wrong for any political party to encourage defections. This is my personal view,” he said.

The former Vice-President also criticised what he described as a growing tendency among political parties to promise ‘freebies’ without fiscal prudence. He said governments must assess their financial position before making such commitments.

“Once the 20th of the month arrives, governments struggle to arrange funds to pay salaries by the 1st of the next month. The Chief Minister himself has said salaries cannot be paid on time. In such a situation, why announce more schemes that strain finances, especially when States are dependent on Central funds?” he asked.

He said both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were facing financial stress and called on political leaders to explain how funds for welfare schemes would be mobilised before making announcements. Mr. Naidu also questioned the necessity of certain schemes.

Referring to free bus travel for women, he asked whether such measures were sustainable for public transport systems. “In another State, there is even talk of extending free travel to men. Can RTCs survive under such conditions?” he asked.

He emphasised that people are not seeking free schemes but better governance. “What the public requires is quality education, accessible healthcare and improved living standards for the poor,” he said. Odisha Governor K. Haribabu, Tripura Governor N. Indrasena Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, among others, were present at the event.