Key Concepts: Political Parties

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Overview

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Political parties are vehicles of federal sharing of political power and are

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mediators of social divisions in the field of democratic politics.
The introduction of the national and regional political parties in India
has been provided in the chapter.

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Symbols of Different Political Parties in India
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Why do we need political parties?

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Political parties are needed because they perform a variety of functions.

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Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties. Without the

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existence of parties, the following situations may occur :

Every candidate in the elections will be independent. No one will be able
to make any promises to the people about any major policy changes.
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The government may be formed, but its utility will remain ever
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uncertain. Elected representatives will be responsible to their voters for

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what they do in the locality. But no one will be responsible for how the
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country will be run.

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The non-party based elections to the Panchayat occur in many states of

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India. Here the parties do not contest formally. It is generally noticed

 that the village gets split into more than one group, each of which puts

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up a ‘panel’ of its candidates. This creates the need for the political

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party.

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Try yourself: Why are political parties needed in modern democracies?

a. To ensure that every candidate in the elections is independent.

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b. To hold elected representatives accountable for their actions.

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c. To create a split in the village during non-party based elections.
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d. To make promises to the people about major policy changes.

View Solution
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Meaning
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A Political Party is a group of people who come together to contest

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elections and hold power in the government.

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They agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view
promoting the collective good.
Parties reflect fundamental political divisions in society. Thus, a party is
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known by which part it stands for, which policies it supports and whose
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interests it upholds.
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A political party has three components:

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The leaders u d
The active members
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The followers

Functions
Political parties fill political offices and exercise political power. Parties do
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so by performing a series of functions mentioned below:
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Parties contest elections.

Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters
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choose from them.

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Parties play a clear role in making laws for a country.

Parties form and run governments.
Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the
parties in power, by voicing different views and judging the government
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for its failures or wrong policies.

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Parties shape public opinion.

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Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare

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schemes implemented by governments.

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Necessity
 We need political parties because they perform all the functions which

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are mentioned above.

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Apart from this, political parties help in representing different views on

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various issues to the government.

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They bring various representatives together so that a responsible

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government could be formed.
They work as a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make
policies, justify or oppose them.

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Political parties fulfil the needs that every representative government

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has.

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How many parties should we have?
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In a democracy, any group of citizens is free to form a political party.
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More than 750 parties are registered with the Election Commission of
India.
But not all these parties are serious competitors in the elections.
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So the question, then is: how many major or effective parties are good
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for democracy?
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In some countries, only one party is allowed to control and run the
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government.
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Try yourself: What is the main purpose of political parties?

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a. To contest elections and hold power in the government.

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b. To shape public opinion and provide access to government
machinery.

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c. To form and run governments and make laws for a country.

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d. To promote collective good and uphold the interests of the society.
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View Solution

Popular Participation in Political Parties

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Level of participation in the activities of the parties — very high in India.
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Advanced countries like Canada, Japan, Spain and South Korea much
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less.
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People in India who feel close to a political party — membership of

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political parties has also gone up.

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Various Different party Systems of Different Countries are below:

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Party System

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There are three types of party systems:
(i) One-Party System
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(ii) Two-Party System and
(iii) Multi-Party System.

One-Party System
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There is no competition in this system.
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The lone party nominates the candidates and the voters have only two
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choices —
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(i) Not to vote at all or

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(ii) write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ against the name of the candidates nominated by
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the party.
This system has been popular in communist countries and other strict
governments e.g., China, North Korea and Cuba.
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This system was also prevalent in USSR till Communism broke down.
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Two-Party System
The power shifts between two major, dominant parties. In this system,
to win elections, the winner has to get a maximum number of votes, but
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not necessarily a majority of votes.
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The smaller parties usually merge with the bigger parties or they drop
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out of elections.
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This parliamentary system prevails in Great Britain and Canada, in

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which only two parties hold significant numbers of seats.

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Supporters of this system believe that this prevents the dangers of

fragmentation (too many parties winning seats from different
constituencies) and the government can run smoothly.
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Multi-Party System
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It is the most common type of party system.

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In this system, three or more parties have the capacity to gain control of
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the government separately or in the coalition.

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 When no party gains a majority of the legislative seats in a multi-party

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parliamentary system, then several parties join forces and form a

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coalition government.

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Supporters of this system point out that it allows more points of views

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to be represented in the government.

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Critics of this system point out that a multi-party system sometimes
leads to political instability.

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Try yourself: Which type of party system is characterized by

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competition among multiple parties to gain control of the government?

a. One-Party System
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b. Two-Party System v
c. Multi-Party System
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d. None of the above

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View Solution
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Alliance
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When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of
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contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front.

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India, in 2004 and 2009, had three such Alliances for parliamentary
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elections :
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(i) National Democratic Alliance

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(ii) The United Progressive Alliance and

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(iii) Left Front.

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National Parties

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The proportion of votes for a party to be classified as national is:
1. The party wins 2 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha (as of 2014, 11
seats) from at least 3 different States; or
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2. At a General Election to Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly, the party
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polls 6% of votes in four States and in addition, it wins 4 Lok Sabha seats
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from any state or states; or

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3. A party gets recognition as State Party in four or more States.

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Difference between a National Party and a Regional Party

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 A national party has influence all over the country or in many states of

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India. The influence of a state party is in a state or a few regions.

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National parties care for national interests, whereas regional parties

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promote mainly regional interests. For example, the DMK or AIDMK.

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Regional parties stand for greater autonomy for the states. The national

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parties, on the other hand, have to harmonise various conflicting
regional interests.
An exclusive symbol such as (lotus or hand) is reserved for a national

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party throughout India. But in the case of a regional party, a symbol for it

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is reserved for it in the state in which it is recognised.

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Election Commission u d
Every party in India has to register with the Election Commission. The
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Commission treats every party as equal to the others, but it offers special
facilities to large and established parties. They are given a unique symbol
and are called, “recognised political parties.”
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Logo of Election Commission of India

Introduction to Major Political Parties in India

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Indian National Congress (INC)

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Symbol of INC

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Founded in 1885, it led the movement for independence. After
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independence, it became free India’s premier political party.
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In the first five General Elections held, Congress virtually controlled the
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politics of the country. It lost the elections in 1977 following the
Emergency rule.
It made a comeback in 1980 under Indira Gandhi with a massive victory
and reached its peak in the election of 1984.
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After 1991, Congress was on the decline and BJP rose in power. In the
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elections held in May 2004, Congress emerged as the winner with the
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help of its allies.

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It formed a coalition government called the United Progressive Alliance

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(UPA). In its manifestos, it projected a vision of a politically united,

economically prosperous, socially just and culturally harmonious India.
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Try yourself: Which political party in India led the movement for

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independence and became free India's premier political party?

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a. National Democratic Alliance

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b. Left Front

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c. Indian National Congress

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d. Bharatiya Janata Party
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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

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Symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Created in 1980, it champions the socio-religious values of the Hindu

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majority of India, conservative social policies, and strong national

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defence. Since its formation, the BJP has been a strong rival of the
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Indian National Congress.

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It has allied itself with regional parties to challenge the Congress Party,
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which dominated Indian politics for 40 years. The BJP’s rallying cry is
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“Hindutva”.
 It wants full territorial integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India and

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a uniform civil code.

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The BJP, in alliance with several other parties, led the Government of

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India between 1998 and 2004.

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It is now the recognised Opposition, and the leading party within the

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National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

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Symbol of BSP
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The Bahujan Samaj Party is a party formed to represent the OBC, SC, ST
and religious minorities, those at the bottom of India’s caste system.
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The BSP was formed in 1984 by two leaders, Kanshiram and Mayawati.
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The main base of the party is in Uttar Pradesh. It also has a substantial
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following in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and

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Punjab.
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It draws inspiration from the teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma

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Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker. The BSP also draws inspiration from
 the teachings of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

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Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI–M)

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Symbol of CPI and CPI-M

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The Communist Party of India (Marxist), usually known as CPI (M), split
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from the Communist Party of India in 1964. It is strongest in the states
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of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura as of 2006, and led the government
in all these states till 2011 when it lost power in the first two.
It believes in Marxism-Leninism and supports socialism, secularism and
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democracy. It opposes imperialism and communalism.
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Its supporters are farmers, agricultural labourers and scholars. In West
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Bengal CPI(M) has enjoyed power without a break, for 30 years.

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Communist Party of India (CPI)

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It was formed in 1925, with beliefs in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and

democracy. It is opposed to the forces of Group loyalty and Breakaway
It believes that parliamentary democracy helps the interests of farmers,
the working class, and the poor.
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The split in the party in 1964, and the formation of CPI (M) made its
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position weak. It has the following in the states of Kerala, West Bengal,
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Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

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It aims and promotes unity and coming together of all left parties to
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form a United Left Front.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

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Symbol of NCP
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It was formed on May 25, 1999, by Sharad Pawar, P.A. Sangama, and
Tariq Anwar after they were thrown out of the Congress Party.
They had objected to a person of foreign origin becoming the Prime
Minister of India. NCP have major support in Maharashtra state. The
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NCP claims that it supports democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity,
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social justice and federalism.

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Try yourself: Which political party in India champions the socio-

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religious values of the Hindu majority and wants full territorial

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integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India?

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a. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

b. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

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c. Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)

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d. Communist Party of India (CPI)
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View Solution
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State Parties
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All parties, other than the six national parties, are classified as state
parties by the Election Commission of India. They are also called
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regional parties.
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They can be all-India parties but have been successful only in some
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states. Examples; Samajwadi Party, Samata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal.

They have national-level political organisations.
Some like the Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front, Mizo National
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Front have state identities. In the last years, no national party has been
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able to secure a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha. The national
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parties have been compelled to form alliances with state parties. This
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has led to coalition governments in the Centre since 1966.

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This has strengthened federalism and democracy in our country.

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Challenges to Political Parties

1. Lack of internal democracy within parties

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Power concentrated in the hands of few.

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No organisational meetings. No keep-ing of membership register

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No internal, regular elections.

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Ordinary members do not have access to information, cannot influence

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decisions.
Disagreement with the leader leads to ouster from the party’.

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2. Dynastic succession

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Leaders on top have an unfair advantage to favour people close to them

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or family members.

Bad for democracy

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Top positions con-trolled by family members in most parties
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The tendency is seen all over the world, even in the older democracies

3. Money and muscle power

In Durum elections this power is very visible.
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Candidates who can raise money are nominated.
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Rich people and companies who give funds have an influence on policies.
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4. Parties do not offer a meaningful choice to the voters.

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There is not much difference in ideology among parties.

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Example: Labour Party and Conservative Party of Britain.

They only differ on details of implementation rather than fundamental
principles.
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In India also there is not much difference among parties on economic

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issues
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How can parties be reformed?

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Efforts Made to Reform the Political Parties

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 The Constitution was amended to prevent defection. Now the MPs and

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MLAs will lose their seat in the Parliament or a State Assembly if they

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defect.

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The Supreme court passed certain orders to reduce the power of money

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and criminals. A candidate has to file an affidavit giving details of his

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property and criminal cases pending against him.
The Election Commission— Political parties are asked to file their
income tax returns. They have to hold structural elections.

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Try yourself: What is the term used to classify parties that are
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successful only in some states in India?
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a. National parties

b. Regional parties
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c. State parties
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d. All-India parties
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View Solution
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