A whip is a written order that party members be present for an important vote, or that they vote only in a particular way. In India all parties can issue a whip to their members.
Parties appoint a senior member from among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip. The Chief Whip is assisted by additional Whips.
Types of Whip
- One-line whip: It is underlined once, is usually issued to inform party members of a vote, and allows them to abstain in case they decide not to follow the party line.
- Two-line whip: It directs the party members to be present during the vote.
- A three-line whip: It is employed on important occasions such as the second reading of a Bill or a no-confidence motion and places an obligation on members to toe the party line.
Constitutional Status
The office of ‘whip’, is mentioned neither in the Constitution of India nor in the Rules of the House nor in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government.
Functions of Whip
- To make sure the MPs vote according to the party line.
- To ensure that the MPs are informed of the party’s opinion on the members’ moods.
- To ensure discipline among party members in the House.
- To ensure the attendance of the party members.
- To identify the signs of discontent among MPs and inform the same to respective leaders.
- To supply the list of speakers on Bills and other businesses in the House.
- He or she is responsible for maintaining the internal party organization in the Parliament and acts as a binding force in the party.
SC Judgements related to Whip
- Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu and Others (1992): In this case, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which deals with anti-defection laws. The court held that political parties have the right to issue a whip to their members to vote in a particular manner, and that such orders must be followed by the members. However, the court also recognized that the right to issue a whip is not absolute and must be exercised in accordance with the constitutional provisions and principles.
- Rajendra Singh Rana v. Swami Prasad Maurya and Others (2007): In this case, the Supreme Court held that a whip cannot be issued on a private member’s bill, as such bills are introduced by individual members and not by the party.
- Jagjit Singh v. State of Haryana (2006): In this case, the Supreme Court held that the power to issue a whip is subject to judicial review. The court held that if a member defies a whip, the party can take disciplinary action against the member, but such action must be in conformity with the principles of natural justice and cannot be arbitrary or discriminatory.
