Critically assess the impact of partisanship on the functioning of Parliament in India. How can decorum and collaboration be restored to ensure effective governance?

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Introduction

Partisanship, an inherent feature of parliamentary democracy, reflects ideological differences among political parties. However, excessive partisanship in India’s Parliament has increasingly disrupted deliberative functioning, affecting legislative productivity and governance.

Impact of Partisanship on Parliamentary Functioning

Frequent Disruptions and Loss of Working Hours: Opposition protests and ruling party resistance often lead to adjournments, reducing effective debate and legislative scrutiny.
Decline in Quality of Deliberation: Bills are sometimes passed without detailed discussion or committee review, weakening the role of Parliament as a deliberative forum.
Politicisation of Parliamentary Procedures: Instruments like Question Hour, adjournment motions, and no-confidence debates are occasionally used for political point-scoring rather than constructive accountability.
Marginalisation of Parliamentary Committees: Increasing polarization reduces bipartisan cooperation within committees, limiting consensus-building.
Centralisation of Decision-Making: Strong party whips and leadership control restrict independent thinking by MPs, undermining representative deliberation.

Measures to Restore Decorum and Collaboration

Strengthening Parliamentary Ethics and Rules: Strict enforcement of conduct rules and penalties for disruptions can encourage disciplined participation.
Revitalising Parliamentary Committees: Ensuring mandatory committee scrutiny of major bills can promote bipartisan engagement and informed lawmaking.
Encouraging Cross-Party Dialogue: Regular all-party meetings and informal consultations can build consensus on critical national issues.
Reforming Party Whip System: Allowing greater autonomy to MPs on non-core issues can foster meaningful debate.
Capacity Building of MPs: Training and research support can enhance evidence-based discussions rather than partisan rhetoric.

Conclusion

While political contestation is essential in democracy, excessive partisanship undermines Parliament’s constitutional role. Strengthening institutional norms, encouraging dialogue, and prioritising national interest over party politics are crucial to restore parliamentary dignity and ensure effective governance.

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