No Term Limit Debate on Prime Minister Office
Why in the News ?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 8,931 days in office has reignited debate on the absence of term limits for the Prime Minister in India. The issue raises concerns about executive accountability, anti-defection law, and the strength of parliamentary checks.
Constitutional Design and Emerging Concerns:
● The Indian Constitution does not impose any term limit on the Prime Minister’s tenure.
● Unlike presidential systems, the PM continues as long as they enjoy majority support in Parliament.
● The milestone of 8,931 days highlights potential risks of prolonged incumbency.
● Extended tenure may lead to concentration of executive power and institutional influence.
● Raises questions on whether electoral accountability alone is sufficient to check executive authority.
Impact of Anti-Defection Law on Accountability
● The Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law, 1985) restricts legislators from voting against party lines.
● Weakens the effectiveness of no-confidence motions, a key tool of parliamentary oversight.
● Reduces “daily accountability” envisioned by B.R. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly.
● The absence of intra-party democracy further centralises power within leadership.
● Courts have upheld the law (e.g., Kihoto Hollohan case, 1992), but concerns remain over its impact on democratic functioning.
| About Term Limits and Parliamentary Democracy: ● Term limits restrict the number of terms an executive can serve, common in presidential systems (e.g., USA). ● India follows a parliamentary system, where executive accountability is ensured through legislature confidence. ● Key mechanisms: Question Hour, adjournment motions, no-confidence motions, elections. ● Debate: balancing democratic choice vs preventing concentration of power. ● Suggested reforms:○ Exempt confidence votes from anti-defection law,○ Consider term limits for PM/CM,○ Strengthen institutional checks and intra-party democracy. |