Amid Sena Mutiny, A Plea Against Defections In Supreme Court Next Week

MLAs who defect should not be allowed to contest elections for five years - a petition seeking this action against turncoats will be heard by the Supreme Court next week following a fresh application that comes amid the widening political crisis in Maharashtra.

The petitioner, Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress chief Jaya Thakur, had called for an urgent hearing in the case that she had filed last year, prompting the court to ask for a response from the central government.

Ms Thakur had called for a crackdown on MLAs who switch sides, including an up to five-year election ban from the date of their resignation or disqualification.

Calling defections "unconstitutional", the petition accused political parties of trying to destroy India's "democratic fabric" as well as a "growing trend" of Speakers of assemblies not remaining neutral.