Under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), after the 91st Amendment, which exception allows legislators to avoid disqualification when changing parties?
- Split of one-third members
- Merger of two-thirds members with another party
- Resignation and re-election
- Governor's permission
Answer: Merger of two-thirds members with another party
91st Amendment (2003) deleted 'split' exception (1/3 rule) to curb defections. Only 'merger' exception remains under Paragraph 4: Disqualification doesn't apply if original party merges with another party, OR if not less than 2/3 of members of legislature party agree to merge. Allows genuine ideological realignments while preventing small-group opportunistic defections.