Whip

A written order that party members be present for an important vote, or that they vote only in a particular way. Simply put, for floor management by political parties in the legislature.

Role of Whip:

• Maintaining the links between the internal organisation of the party inside the Parliament.
• An important office-bearer of the party in the Parliament.

Functions of Whip:

• The whip plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of business on the floor of the House.
• He is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the attendance of his party members in large numbers and securing their support in favour of or against a particular issue.
• He ensures discipline among party members in the House.
• He identifies the signs of discontent among MPs and informs the respective leaders of their party.
• He or she acts as a binding force in the party and responsible for maintaining the internal party organisation in the Parliament.

Kinds of Whips:

• A one-line whip, 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.
• A two-line whip directs them to be present during the vote.
• A three-line whip is the strongest, employed on important occasions such as the
  1. second reading of a Bill or
  2. no-confidence motion
  3. places an obligation on members to toe the party line.

Defiance of Whip:

• Lawmaker’s membership of the House at risk.
• The anti-defection law allows the Speaker/Chairperson to disqualify such a member.
• Only exception is when more than a third of legislators vote against a directive, effectively splitting the party.

Conclusion:

In the parliamentary form of Government, Whips of various political parties are the vital links of the internal organization of parties, inside the legislatures. The efficient and smooth functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures depends, to a considerable extent, upon the office of the Whip. The Whips can be rightly said to be the managers of the parties within the legislatures