Examine whether the constitutional office of the Lok Sabha Speaker has become vulnerable to partisan politics under the current anti-defection regime. What institutional changes are required to ensure the neutrality of the Lok Sabha Speaker in managing a polarised House ? (Answer in 150 words)

- Examine whether the constitutional office of the Lok Sabha Speaker has become vulnerable to partisan politics under the current anti-defection regime. What institutional changes are required to ensure the neutrality of the Lok Sabha Speaker in managing a polarised House ? (Answer in 150 words)
Introduction
The Lok Sabha Speaker is constitutionally expected to act impartially, yet the Tenth Schedule makes the office vulnerable to partisan pressures by assigning the Speaker adjudicatory powers in defection cases.
Body
Why Vulnerability Arises:
1. Party Background: The Speaker is usually elected from the ruling party and does not formally sever party affiliation.
2. Defection Adjudication: Under the Tenth Schedule, the Speaker decides disqualification petitions, creating scope for delay or selective action.
3. Government Survival: Decisions on defections can determine legislative majorities, intensifying political pressure.
4. Judicial Concerns: Cases such as Kihoto Hollohan and Keisham Meghachandra Singh highlight concerns over impartiality and delays.
Institutional Reforms:
1. Transfer defection disputes to an independent tribunal or Election Commission.
2. Prescribe strict timelines for decisions.
3. Require election of Speaker through broader consensus.
4. Encourage resignation from party posts and conventions of neutrality.
5. Strengthen committee-based and rule-bound functioning.
Conclusion
Thus, protecting the Speaker’s neutrality requires reducing partisan incentives and creating independent, time-bound mechanisms for anti-defection adjudication.