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A whip is the instruction issued by political parties to vote according to the party line in a legislature. Violation of the party whip could lead to expulsion under the Anti Defection Act.

Sometimes political parties decide on a particular course of action, but may not issue a whip to enforce it, as in the present instance where the Shiromani Akali Dal has taken a decision to vote against the United Progressive Alliance government but has not issued a whip to its members.

In such a case, the members of Parliament are free to vote as per their choice -- in this case, vote for the government of Dr Manmohan Singh [Images].

But usually, in case of an important vote, a whip is issued

A whip is of three kinds.