1

Political Parties
Meaning and Functions
A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and
hold power in the government.

s
- Parties persuade people by winning popular support through elections

e
- Parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society

ot
- Parties are about a part of the society and thus involve PARTISANSHIP

N
A political party has 3 components
● The leaders

r's
● The Active members
● The followers
de
Political parties fill political offices and exercise political power
an
Parties do so by performing a series of functions:
1. Parties contest elections-
ex

● Candidates contest elections on behalf of the party.

● Parties select their candidates in different ways.
Al

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

Democracy→ Different views on development, policies and opinions.

nc

● A party reduces a vast multitude of opinions into a few basic positions which it
supports.
➔ A government is expected to base its policies on the line taken by the RULING
ui

PARTY.
Q

3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.

Members go by the direction of the party leadership, irrespective of their personal
opinions.
 2
4. Parties form and run governments.
Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make them ministers to run the
government in the way they want.

5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties
in power.

s
● By voicing different views and criticising the government for its failures or wrong

e
policies.

ot
● Opposition parties also mobilise opposition to the government.

N
6. Parties shape public opinion.
● They raise and highlight issues.

r's
● Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country.
● Many of the pressure groups are the extensions of political parties among
different sections of society. de
● Parties sometimes also launch movements for the resolution of problems
faced by people.
an
● Often opinions in the society crystallize on the lines parties take.
ex

7. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes

implemented by governments.
● For an ordinary citizen it is easier to approach a local party leader than a
Al

government officer.
e

Parties have to be responsive to people’s needs and demands.

Otherwise people can reject those parties in the next elections.
nc

Necessity
ui

Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties

Q

Situation without political parties

● Every candidate will be independent
● No one will make promises to people about major policy changes
● Government may be formed, but its utility will remain uncertain
● Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency.
3
● But no one will be responsible for how the country will be run.

The non-party based elections to the panchayat

● Although the parties do not contest formally, it is generally noticed that the
village gets split into more than one faction.
● Each of which puts up a ‘panel’ of its candidates.

e s
The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of

ot
representative democracies. As society became large and complex

N
● Gather different views on various issues and to present these to the
government.

r's
● Bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could
be formed.
de
● A mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or
oppose them.
Political parties fulfill these needs that every representative government has.
an

How many parties should we have?

ex

One party system

● Only one party is allowed to control and run the government.
Al

● In China, only the Communist Party is allowed to rule.

● This is not a democratic option.
e

Two party system

nc

● Power usually changes between two main parties.

● Several other parties may exist, contest elections and win a few seats in the
national legislatures.
ui

● The United States of America and the United Kingdoms

Q

Multi party system

● If several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a
reasonable chance of coming to power
● Coalition government is observed
● In India, we have multi party system
4
● This system often appears messy and leads to political instability. At the same
time, this system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political
representation.

Which of these is better?

No system is ideal for all countries and all situations

s
● Party system evolves over a long time, depending on the nature of society, its

e
social and regional divisions, its history of politics and its system of elections.

ot
● Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special
● circumstances.

N
● For example, if India has evolved a multiparty system, it is because the social
and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two

r's
or even three parties.

de
National Parties
Countrywide parties have their units in various states. But by and large, all these
units follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the
an
national level.
ex

➔ Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission.
Al

While the Commission treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to
large and established parties.
● These parties are given a unique symbol
e

● Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are ‘recognised’
nc

by the Election Commission for this purpose.

The Election Commission has laid down detailed criteria of the proportion of votes
ui

and seats that a party must get in order to be a recognised party.

Q

● A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections
or Assembly elections in four States.
● Wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party.
 5
According to this classification, there were seven recognised national
parties in the country in 2019.

e s
ot
N
r's
de
an
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)
● Launched on 1 January 1998 under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
● Recognised as a national party in 2016.
ex

● The party’s symbol is flowers and grass.

● Committed to secularism and federalism. Has been in power in West Bengal
Al

since 2011.
● Also has a presence in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.
e

● In the General Elections held in 2019, it got 4.07 per cent votes and won 22
seats, making it the fourth largest party in the Lok Sabha.
nc

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

ui

● Formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.

● Seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj which includes the
Q

dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.

● Draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma
Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb Ambedkar.
6
● Stands for the cause of securing the interests and welfare of the dalits and
oppressed people. It has its main base in the state of Uttar Pradesh and
substantial presence in neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab.
● Formed government in Uttar Pradesh several times by taking the support of
different parties at different times.

s
● In the Lok Sabha elections held in 2019, it polled about 3.63 per cent votes and

e
secured 10 seats in the Lok Sabha.

ot
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

N
● Founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, formed by
Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951.

r's
● Wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s
ancient culture and values; and Deendayal Upadhyay's ideas of integral
humanism and Antyodaya. de
● Cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’) is an important element in its conception of
Indian nationhood and politics.
an
Objectives
ex

● Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India, a
uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion, and
ban on religious conversions.
Al

● Its support base increased in 1990s

● Earlier limited to north west and to urban areas, the party expanded its support
e

in the south, east, the north-east and to rural areas

● Came to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
nc

including several regional parties

● Emerged as the largest party with 303 members in the 2019 Lok Sabha
ui

elections.
● Currently leads the ruling NDA government at the centre.
Q

Communist Party of India (CPI)

● Formed in 1925.
● Believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy.
● Opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism.
 7
● Accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of promoting the interests of the
working class, farmers and the poor
● Became weak after the split in the party in 1964 that led to the formation of the
CPI(M).
● Significant presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

s
● Its support base had gradually declined over the years.

e
● It secured less than 1 per cent votes and 2 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha

ot
elections.
● Advocates the coming together of all left parties to build a strong left front.

N
Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M)

r's
Founded in 1964.
● Believes in Marxism-Leninism.
de
● Supports socialism, secularism and democracy and opposes imperialism and
communalism.
● Accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for securing the
an
objective of socio-economic justice in India.
● Enjoys strong support in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, especially among the
ex

poor, factory workers, farmers , agricultural labourers and the intelligentsia.

● Critical of the new economic policies that allow free flow of foreign capital and
goods into the country.
Al

● Was in power in West Bengal without a break for 34 years.

● In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it won about 1.75 per cent of votes and 3
e

seats.
nc

Indian National Congress

● Popularly known as the Congress Party.
ui

● One of the oldest parties of the world. Founded in 1885 and has experienced
many splits.
Q

● Played a dominant role in Indian politics at the national and state level for
several decades after India’s Independence.
● Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern
secular democratic republic in India.
● Ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989.
 8
● After 1989, its support declined, but it continues to be present throughout the
country, cutting across social divisions.
● A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation, the party
espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.
● The INC supports new economic reforms but with a human face . Leader of the
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2019.

s
● In the 2019 Lok Sabha election it won 19.5% votes and 52 seats.

e
ot
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
● Formed in 1999 following a split in the Congress party.

N
● Espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and
federalism.

r's
● Wants that high offices in government be confined to natural born citizens of the
country.
de
● A major party in Maharashtra and has a significant presence in Meghalaya,
Manipur and Assam.
● A coalition partner in the state of Maharashtra in alliance with the Congress.
an
● Since 2004, a member of the United Progressive Alliance.
● In 2019 Lok Sabha election it won 1.4% votes and 5 seats
ex

State Parties
Al

Parties other than the national parties are classified as state parties. Also known as
‘Regional parties’.
● These parties need not be regional in their ideology or outlook, and play very
e

important role in national politics.

nc

● The national parties are compelled to form alliances with State parties.
● Made the Parliament of India politically more and more diverse.
● Contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.
ui
Q

The proportion of votes and seats, a party must get to be reorganised as state party.
● A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the
Legislative Assembly of a State.
● Wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party.
 9
Challenges to Political Parties
Most visible face of democracy
It is natural that people blame parties for whatever is wrong with the working of
democracy.
➔ Popular dissatisfaction and criticism has focussed on four problem areas in the

s
working of political parties.

e
1. Lack of internal democracy

ot
Tendency in political parties towards the concentration of power in one or few

N
leaders at the top.
● Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what
happens inside the party.

r's
● The leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party.
● Those who disagree with the leadership find it difficult to continue in the party.
de
More than loyalty to party principles and policies, personal loyalty to the leader
becomes more important.
an

2. Challenge of dynastic succession

ex

Most political parties do not practise open and transparent procedures for their
functioning.
Al

● Less chances for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.

● The top positions are always controlled by members of one family.
● This is unfair to other members of that party.
e

● This is also bad for democracy.

nc

People who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy
positions of power.
ui

3. Growing role of money and muscle power

Q

Focus is on winning→Shortcuts are used to win

● Political parties tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots
of money.
● Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence
on the policies and decisions of the party.
● Parties support criminals who can win elections.
 10
4. Parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters
● In order to offer meaningful choice, parties must be significantly different.
● There has been a decline in the ideological differences among parties in most
parts of the world.
Example -

s
➔ The difference between the Labour Party and the Conservative Party in Britain is

e
very little.

ot
➔ In our country too, the differences among all the major parties on the economic
policies have reduced.

N
● Sometimes people cannot even elect very different leaders either, because the
same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another.

r's
How can Parties be reformed?
de
1. The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from
changing parties.
an
Anti defection law
Now the law says that if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the seat
in the legislature
ex

- This new law has helped bring defection down.

- This has made any dissent even more difficult.
Al

2. Now, it is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an

AFFIDAVIT giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against
e

him.
nc

● The new system has made a lot of information available to the public.
● But there is no system to check if the information given by the candidates is true.
ui

3. The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political

Q

parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.
● The parties have started doing so but sometimes it is mere formality.
● It is not clear if this step has led to greater internal democracy in political parties.

Besides these, many suggestions are often made to reform political parties:
1. A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties.
 11
● It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its
members.
● To follow its own constitution.
● To have an independent authority.
● To act as a judge in case of party disputes, to hold open elections to the highest
posts.

s
2. It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of

e
tickets, about one-third, to women candidates.

ot
Similarly, there should be a quota for women in the decision making bodies of the
party.

N
3. There should be state funding of elections.

r's
Not yet been accepted by political parties. They should be accepted
But we must be very careful about legal solutions to political problems.
de
● Over-regulation of political parties can be counterproductive.
● This would force all parties to find ways to cheat the law.
● Besides, political parties will not agree to pass a law that they do not like.
an
There are two other ways in which political parties can be reformed.
ex

Public pressure-
- People can put pressure on political parties, through petitions, publicity and
agitations.
Al

- If political parties feel that they would lose public support by not taking up
reforms, they would become more serious about reforms.
e

Public participation-
nc

● Political parties can improve if those who want this join political parties.
● It is difficult to reform politics if ordinary citizens do not take part in it and simply
ui

criticise it from the outside.

● The problem of bad politics can be solved by more and better politics.
Q