Q. Consider the following statements:

I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under the 10th Schedule, the President's decision in accordance with the opinion of the Council of Union Ministers shall be final.
II. There is no mention of the word 'political party' in the Constitution of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I only      (b) II only
(c) Both I and II      (d) Neither I nor II

68. निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

I. यदि कोई प्रश्न उठता है कि लोक सभा का कोई सदस्य 10वीं अनुसूची के अधीन निरर्हता से ग्रस्त हो गया है या नहीं, तब संघ की मंत्रिपरिषद् की राय के अनुसार राष्ट्रपति का निर्णय अंतिम होगा।
II. भारत के संविधान में शब्द 'राजनीतिक दल' का कोई उल्लेख नहीं है।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/कौन-से सही है/हैं?

(a) केवल I
(b) केवल II
(c) I और II दोनों
(d) न तो I और न ही II

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

• Statement I is not correct: Under Paragraph 6(1) of the Tenth Schedule, questions regarding disqualification of a Lok Sabha member under the Anti-Defection Law are decided by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, not by the President.
• The Constitution provides that the decision of the Speaker or Chairman, as the case may be, shall be final in such matters.
• Statement II is not correct: The term “political party” is explicitly mentioned in the Constitution under the Tenth Schedule.
• The Tenth Schedule was inserted by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, to deal with defections and disqualification of legislators.
• Therefore, both statements are incorrect.

Source:
Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India