What are MP and MLA in India?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 9th, 2023
MPs and MLAs in India are the members of the Parliament and the members of the Legislative Assembly respectively. MLA in India is the short form for Members of the Legislative Assembly. MLAs are directly voted by the people of the country. These elected representatives become the members of state legislatures from their particular constituency.
MP in India is an acronym for Members of Parliament. They are known as the, directly and indirectly, elected ambassadors of the country in the central government. Members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are called MPs or Members of Parliament.
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MPs and MLAs in India
MLAs are Members of the Legislative Assembly who voted in the system through direct elections in their respective constituencies. Each constituency has only one candidate representing it in the Legislative Assembly. Only an MLA can serve as a minister for a term of more than 6 months. If a person who is not an MLA becomes a Chief Minister/Minister, he has to become an MLA within a period of 6 months to continue in office. Only one MLA can be the Speaker of the Legislature.
MPs are members of Parliament, who are voted through direct and indirect elections to both houses, namely the Lok Sabha (lower house) and Rajya Sabha (upper house) of the bicameral parliamentary system followed by India.
Difference Between MLA and MP
The MPs in the Lok Sabha are elected through direct elections using adult suffrage. The permitted maximum number of members in the Lok Sabha is 550.
- Of these 550, 530 are directly elected from states and constituencies, and (maximum) 20 come from union territories.
- 2 seats are reserved for the people of the Anglo-Indian community.
- The elected strength is 543.
- The Lok Sabha is responsible for electing the Prime Minister of the country from the majority coalition or party.
- Lok Sabha is not a permanent body and can be dissolved.
The MPs in the Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected by the electoral college formed by the members of the State Legislature.
- Rajya Sabha has less number of members than the Lok Sabha
- Their powers are also limited.
- Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved.
- One-third of its strength retires every 2 years, and new members are elected by the electoral college and presidential nominations.
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