Advocatetanmoy Law Library
52. The Constitution (Fifty-second Amendment) Act, 1985—It amends the Constitution to provide
that a Member of Parliament or a State Legislature who defects or is expelled from the party which
set him up as a candidate in the election or if an independent member of the House joins a political
party after expiry of six months from the date on which he takes seat in the House shall be
disqualified to remain a member of the House. The Act also makes suitable provisions with respect to
splits in and merger of political parties.
53. The Constitution (Fifty-third Amendment) Act, 1986—This has been enacted to give effect to
the Memorandum of Settlement of Mizoram which was signed by Government of India and Mizoram
Government with Mizoram National Front on 30th June 1986. For this purpose, a new Article 371G
has been inserted in the Constitution inter alia preventing application of any Act of Parliament in
Mizoram in respect of religious or social practices of Mizos, Mizos’ customary law and procedure,
administration of civil and criminal practice involving decisions according to Mizos’ customary law
and ownership and transfer of land unless a resolution is passed in the Legislative Assembly to that
effect. This, however, will not apply to any Central Act already in force in Mizoram before the
commencement of this amendment. The new Article also provides that the Legislative Assembly of
Mizoram shall consist of not less than 40 members.
