Shimla, April 2 -- The Himachal Pradesh Assembly speaker, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, highlighting Himachal Pradesh's proactive stance on strengthening the anti-defection framework in line with Supreme Court observations and the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, said the state has emerged as a frontrunner in introducing progressive legislative measures to curb political defections.

Addressing the media at the conclusion of the budget session, Pathania said the recently passed amendment bill denying pension benefits to disqualified MLAs was part of a broader effort to reinforce democratic values.

"The Supreme Court has observed that the anti-defection law needs to be strengthened. In this context, Himachal Pradesh is taking the lead. Ours ...