Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
1) What is a whip? Discuss the roles and functions that a chief whip would play when a government faces no-confidence motion in the lower house? (250 words)
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of the recent doubts raised on the authority of the office of whip in the ongoing Karnataka political crisis.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the key features of the office of whip, the roles and functions performed by them.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define that Whip is an official appointed to maintain discipline among, secure attendance of, and give necessary information to, members of his party.
Body:
Explain that In India, the party whip directs the party members to stick to the party’s stand on certain issues and directs them to vote as per the direction of senior party members. Whip cannot be used in all cases.
Then discuss the chief functions of the whip.
Explain the types of whip and implications of whip in Indian polity.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of whip.
