A Member of Lok Sabha does not become disqualified to continue as a

A Member of Lok Sabha does not become disqualified to continue as a Member of the House if the person

voluntarily gives up his/her membership of the political party from which he/she was elected
is expelled by the political party from which he/she had been elected to the House
joins a political party after being elected as an independent candidate
abstains from voting contrary to the direction issued by his/her political party
This question was previously asked in
UPSC SO-Steno – 2017
The correct answer is B. A Member of Lok Sabha does not automatically become disqualified to continue as a Member of the House merely by being expelled by the political party from which he/she had been elected. The grounds for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) are specifically defined.
– Grounds for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule include voluntarily giving up membership of the political party, voting or abstaining contrary to the party whip without prior permission (and such action is not condoned by the party within 15 days), an independent member joining a political party, and a nominated member joining a political party after the expiry of six months from the date of taking seat.
– Expulsion from the political party *itself* is not listed as a direct ground for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. A member who is expelled may still face disqualification if their subsequent actions (e.g., voting against the whip of the party from which they were originally elected) fall under the listed grounds.
– The 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 added the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, laying down the provisions relating to disqualification on grounds of defection.
– The decision on disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is made by the presiding officer of the House (Speaker in Lok Sabha, Chairman in Rajya Sabha).