Which of the following statement/statements is/are valid regarding the office of the 'Whip'?

I. Although not mentioned in the Constitution of India, the office of the Whip' has however been incorporated in the Rules of the House by the Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998'.

II. The role of the Chief Whip of the government party in the Lok Sabha is served by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs.

III. All political parties - whether ruling or opposition, will have their own Whips in the Parliament.

IV. The Chief Whip is not responsible to the leader of the House but is responsible only to the leader of the party that has appointed him/her to the office of Chief Whip.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Key Points

• All political parties, whether ruling or opposition, have their own Whips in the Parliament.
• The Whip is an important office in the parliamentary system, though it is not mentioned in the Constitution of India.
• Whips are responsible for ensuring party discipline and adherence to party policies among members of the legislature.
• They play a crucial role in managing the legislative business and coordinating party strategies.

Additional Information

• Whip:
  • A Whip is an official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature.
  • Whips are the party's ""enforcers"".
  • They invite their members to attend voting sessions and to vote according to the official party policy.
  • They ensure that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.
• Constitution of India:
  • The Constitution of India does not mention the office of the Whip.
  • The role and functions of the Whip are derived from parliamentary traditions and rules.
• Chief Whip:
  • The Chief Whip is appointed by the political party and is responsible for managing the party's legislative affairs.
  • The Chief Whip ensures the presence of party members in the House and maintains internal discipline within the party.
• Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognized Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998:
  • This Act provides certain facilities to the Leaders and Chief Whips of recognized parties and groups in Parliament.
  • It includes provisions for office space, telephone facilities, and other amenities to help them perform their duties effectively.