Anti-defection law of India states that "A legislator is deemed to have defected if he either voluntarily gives up the membership of his party or disobeys the directives of the party leadership on a vote."
In a case of say, 2 or 3 legislators from a specific geographical area are having different views from their party on some particular issue based on their area's socio-cultural history but NOT different views on the party's ideology.
Now, if in the public, the discussion comes up, what should there stand be ? Will they be considered to be defective if they speak for their people instead for their party on THAT particular issue ? How much of personal freedom of speech of legislators is lost due to this provision in the Anti-defection law?
I feel that this provision of the law restricts the legislator's views to be heard and only the upper members of the party has the say on any issue. This is my understanding after reading about the law but I want to know how strongly the provision hinders personal opinions of the legislators.