The office of 'Whip' in Indian parliamentary politics is based on:

The office of the Whip is not mentioned in the Constitution, in the Rules of the House or in any parliamentary statute. It is based on the conventions of parliamentary government and the practice of political parties.

Meaning of a whip:

• A whip is an official of a political party in the legislature whose job is to ensure discipline among party members.
• The word also means the written direction issued by the party to its members to be present and vote in a particular way.
• The term comes from British hunting, where a "whipper-in" kept the hounds together.

Functions of a party whip:

• Ensuring the attendance of party members in the House, especially for important votes.
• Conveying the party's line on bills and motions to its members.
• Keeping the party leadership informed about the views of members.
• Acting as a link between the party and its members.

Types of whips (British practice):

• One-line whip: informs members about a vote, but attendance is not compulsory.
• Two-line whip: asks members to be present.
• Three-line whip: makes attendance and voting according to the party line compulsory.

Whip and the anti-defection law:

• Under the Tenth Schedule, a member who votes or abstains from voting contrary to the direction issued by his party, without prior permission, can be disqualified, unless the party condones it within 15 days.
• So in practice, a whip has legal consequences through the anti-defection law, even though the office itself is not statutory.

Chief Whip:

• The ruling party's Chief Whip is usually the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
• Opposition parties also appoint their own whips.

Criticism:

Critics say that strict whips reduce free debate and the independence of legislators.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The office of Whip is not created by any Article, by the RP Act or by the House rules alone.