Solapur, Sept 23: Expressing concern over increasing trend of switching parties by politicians, BJP national general secretary Pramod Mahajan today said formalities have been completed to introduce legislation to ban defections. "The trend of changing parties frequently was raising concern among political high commands. But now time has come to stop the trend as the committee, headed by Congress MP Pranab Mukerjee, has finalised the amended draft resolution on anti-defection", Mahajan, who is here to campaign for BJP candidate Pratapsingh Mohite-Patil for September 26 Solapur Lok Sabha bypoll, said. He told reporters that "under the new provisions of the proposed bill, if anybody leaves his party, his membership of peoples representation will automatically get cancelled. The clause of identification as a separate group for one-third defected group, will also be abolished. This new bill will curtail the defection culture and assure stable government."

To a query, he claimed that everywhere in India, except in two constituencies-- Lakshwadeep and Bellary-- Congress has lost ground. "Although they are in power in 14 states, people will not trust them." Mahajan said the outcome of the results of assembly polls in five states, scheduled to be held this year-end, will be in favour of BJP.

"Solapur poll campaign would highlight the failures of Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and after the verdict, he will have to quit," the BJP leader added.

Bureau Report