State legislative assembly in India is called Vidhan Sabha as well as Sasana Sabha. It is considered to be a legislative body in the union territories and in the states of India.  In 28 states and 3 union territories in India there is a unicameral state legislature, which is also a legislative body. Interestingly in 6 states with bicameral state legislatures they consider it to be a lower house while calling their upper house state legislative council. 5 union territories have no legislative body but are controlled by the union government of India. 

Discussion

According to the constitution of India a state legislative assembly consists of Members of the Legislative Assembly.  As per the constitution of India each state legislative assembly should have at least 60 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA). However, the constitution of India allows a maximum of 500 Members of legislative assembly. Interestingly by the help of an Act of Parliament an exceptional change can be seen in a few states and in union territory as well. Indian states such as Goa, Mizoram, Sikkim and also union territories such as Puducherry have less than 60 Members of Legislative Assembly. This procedure is solely dependent on the Election Commission of India’s decision. Where Uttar Pradesh has a total number of 404 assembly seats the Sikkim legislative assembly has only 32 seats in the state legislative assembly. The Election commission of India decides and allocates seats in the assembly by calculating the population of the state.  

Interestingly when a state of emergency occurs the state legislative assembly can even get dissolved.  On a special request of the Chief Minister of the state, the Governor can dissolve the state legislative assembly. 

Member of Parliament (MLA)

Contesting in an election is mandatory to become a member of a state legislative assembly. The candidate should state that he or she does not have any criminal procedures going on against them. The candidate may not be a Member of state legislative council or a Member of Parliament at the same time. There are powers of a state legislative assembly which is more likely to be equal with the upper house, the state legislature council.  Other than passing money bills and dissolving a state government a state legislative assembly has equal power with the upper house. 

A civilian who is seeking the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) should be qualified enough. There are certain eligibility criteria , such as –  the candidate should be at least 25 years of age, must be an Indian national,  should have a sound mind, must not hold any criminal record, must not be bankrupted,  most importantly he or she should be a voter of any constituency of the state.  

Conclusion 

The State legislative Assembly in India has a major role in making and improving the laws for the concerned state. The government also depends on the state legislative assembly to make a decision about governing the state.