4. Political Parties

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

Political parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society . All the parties favour certain part of the society and thus they involve partisanship.

Components of political parties

A political party has three components:

(i) The leaders,

(ii) The active members

(iii) The followers

Functions of Political Parties

(i) Contest elections : Parties contest elections by putting up candidates .

In some countries, candidates are selected by members and supporters of a party. (eg. USA)

In other countries, candidates are chosen by top party leaders (eg. India) .

(ii) Making policies and programmes : Parties put forward different policies and programmes for voters to choose from them.

(ii) Making Laws : Parties play a major role in making laws for the country. No law can become a bill unless majority parties support it. laws are debated and passed in the legislature

(iv) Form and run government : Parties form and run government The big policy decisions are taken by the political executives which belongs from a political party

(v) Role of opposition : Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power. They oppose the government by criticising its failure or wrong policies .

(vi) Parties shape public opinion : Political parties shape public opinion .They raise and highlifght issues . Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country.

(vii) Access to government machinery and welfare schemes : Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by the government.

Necessity of Political Parties

(i) Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties.

(ii) independent elected representatives will be accountable only to their constituency. But no one will be responsible for how the country will be run.

(iii) Government may be formed without political party but its utility will remain ever uncertain.

(iv) The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.

(v) Large and complex societies require an agency to come together on various issues and present them to the government. Political parties fulfill these needs.

Party system : In a democracy any group of citizens is free to form a political party. More than 750 parties are registered with the Election Commission of India.

One Party system - In some countries , only one party controls and runs the government. This is called one party system.

Eg- In China only Communist Party forms the government. This system is not a good option for democracy because it does not provide a fair chance for competing parties to gain power.

We cannot consider the one-party system as a good option because there is no democratic option in the one-party system.

Two Party system - In some countries, power usually changes between two main political parties, This is called two party system . The United States of America and the United Kingdom are examples of two-party system.

Multi Party system - If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we call it a multiparty system.

India have a multiparty system.

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

For example, in India there were three such major alliances in 2004 parliamentary elections–

The National Democratic Alliance,

The United Progressive Alliance

The Left Front.

The multiparty system often appears very messy and leads to political instability but this system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.

India adopted multi-party system because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties.

There are three major types of party systems that exist at the State level in india.

Two-party system

Multi Party system with two alliances

Multiparty system

Types of Political Parties

National Party : A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in Loksabha elections or Assembly elections in 4 states and win at least 4 seats in the Loksabha, is recognised as a National Party

Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission. The commission treats all parties equally, but it offers some special facilities to large and established parties. These parties are given a unique symbol – only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol. Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are ‘recognised’ by the Election Commission for this purpose. That is why , these parties are called 'recognised political parties.

There were seven recognised national parties in the country in 2019.

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC):

Launched on 1 January 1998

Founder Mamata Banerjee.

Recognised as a national party in 2016.

The party’s symbol is flowers and grass.

Committed to secularism and federalism.

In power - West Bengal in2011.

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

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):

Launched on 1984

Founder Kanshi Ram.

Seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj

Uttar Pradesh in 2019, it polled about 3.63 per cent votes and secured 10 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Founded in 1980

Bharatiya Janata Party founded in 1980

Founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee(Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951)

Cultural nationalism or ‘Hindutva’ is its important concept.

It wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values.

It Wants full territorial and political integration of J&K with India.

It wants a uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion, and ban on religious conversions.

Came to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) including several regional parties. Emerged as the largest party with 303 members in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Currently leads the ruling NDA government at the Centre.

Indian National Congress (INC):
Indian National Congress is one of the oldest parties of the world.
Indian National Congress was founded in 1885.
Congress party support secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.
Indian National Congress has played an important role in freedom struggle of India.
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) formed government from 2004 to 2019.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it won 19.5% votes and 52 seats.

State parties

A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party.

Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front, Mizo National Front and Telangana Rashtra Samithi

Some of the regional parties like the Samajwadi Party , Samata Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal have national level political organisation with units in several States.

Challenges to Political Parties

1. lack of internal democracy within parties: The power is concentrated with one or few leaders at the top. Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly.

2. Dynastic succession : Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning. There are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party. Those who happen to be the leaders are in a position of unfair advantage to favour people close to them or even their family members. In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.

3. Growth of money and muscle power in parties : The growing role of money and muscle power in parties, especially during elections. Parties nominate those candidates who have lot of money. Rich people and companies who fund parties influence party policies and decisions. Parties support criminals who can win elections.

4. Lack of meaningful choice to the voters : Parties do not have offer a meaningful choice to the voters. In order to offer meaningful choice, parties must be significantly different. In recent years, there has been a decline in the ideological differences among parties

Steps taken to reform Political Parties

Anti -Defection Law - The constitution was amended to prevent MPs and MLAs from changing parties . This was done because many elected representatives were indulging in defection in order to become ministers or for cash rewards. Now the law says that ifany MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the seat in the legislature.

Details of Property and criminal cases : The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals. Now, it is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.

File an Income Tax Return : The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.

Suggestions to Reform Political Parties

A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. 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.

It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third, to women candidates. Similarly, there should be a quota for women in the decision making bodies of the party.

There should be state funding of elections. The government should give parties money to support their election expenses. This support could be given in kind: petrol, paper, telephone, etc. Or it could be given in cash on the basis of the votes secured by the party in the last election.

Give one technical term for the following statement :
‘‘A person who is strongly committed to a party or group.’’
Partnership
What is the guiding philosophy of Bharatiya Janata Party ?
Cultural Nationalism(or ‘Hindutva’) ,
Name any one regional party of Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena
Name any one regional party of Karnataka.
Janta Dal Secular
Name any two regional political parties of U.P. (Uttar Pradesh)
(i) S. P (Samajvadi Party) (ii) Rastriya Lok Dal
Name anytwo regional parties of West Bgnga
(i) Forward Bloc (ii) Revolutionary Socialist Party (iii) Trinamool Congress
Name any one political party that has national level political organization but not recognized as the national political party.
Samajwadi Party/Samata Party/Rashtriya Janata Dal
Why is one party political system not considered a good democratic system ?
One party system has no democratic option.
Name any one political party of India which grew out of a movement.
Asom Gana Parishad (Assam People's Association, AGP)
Explain the meaning of political reforms.
Overcoming challenges to democracy is called Political Reforms
Why do political parties involve partisanship ?
The parties are a part of the society and thus they involve partisanship.
Name the alliance formed by the Congress Party.
United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
If all the decisions of a political party are made by a single family and all other members are neglected, than what challenge is being faced by thatpart
Challenge of dynastic succession
How can democratic reforms be carried out by political parties.
By increasing and improving the quality of political participation of ordinary citizens.
Suggest any one way to promote the public participation in the Political Parties for enhencing the quality of democracy.
(i) Political parties should give representations to accommodate different groups.
(ii) To frame laws and policies for welfare of the people.
Suggest any one way to make political parties more responsive to the people’s need and demand.
(i) By electing only those political parties who work for the welfare of the people.
(ii) To evolve mechanisms for negotiating differences.
What is the requirement laid down by the Election Commission for a
political party to be recognized as a ‘State Party’ ?
A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party
Describe any three policies of ‘Communist Party of India-Marxist'
(i) CPI-M believes in Marxism and Leninism
(ii) It supports socialism, secularism and democracy
(iii) It opposes imperialism and communalism
How can the growing role of money and muscle power in political parties be controlled ? Suggest any three measures.
(i) There should be state funding of elections.
(ii) Rath Yatras, rallies and processions should be banned.
(iii) All types of elections should be held at the same time.
What is meant by regional party ? State the conditions required for a party to be recognized as a regional political party.
Regional Party is a party that is present in only some States.
1) A party that secures atleast six percent of the total votes in an election to the
legislative assembly of a state.
2) Wins atleast two seats in the legislative assembly.
Analyse the role of opposition political parties in democracy.
Or Explain any thee functions of opposition political party.
(i) Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power.
(ii) Opposition party criticise government for its failure or wrong policies.
(iii) Opposition parties mobilize opposition to the government.
Name any two National political parties are -
(i) Indian National Congress (ii) Bharatiya Janta Party
(iii) Communist party of India (iv) Communist party of India (M)
(v) Bahujan Samaj Party (vi) Nationalist Congress Party
State any two points of the ideology of Bhartiya Janta Party.
Cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’)
A uniform civil code for all people living in the country.
Ban on religious conversions.
Explain any three features of one-party system.
(i) Only one party is allowed to control and run the government.
(ii) The electoral system does not permit free competition for power.
(iii) This system is not a good option for democracy.
(iv) In China only Communist Party forms the government.
Differentiate between ruling and opposition parties.
(i) Political party that wins the election is called the ruling party whereas those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition party.
(ii) Ruling party runs the government whereas opposition party criticises government for its failure or wrong policies.
‘Competition among various political parties tends to divide any society.’’ Support the statement
(i) Competition among various political parties can make social divisions into political division.
(ii) It may lead to conflict and violence between different communities supporting the political party.
(iii) It can also lead to national disintegration.
Communist Party of India (CPI): Formed in 1925.
Believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy.
It secured less than 1 per cent votes and 2 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M): Founded in 1964. Believes in Marxism-Leninism.
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 seats.
What is meant by a ‘national political party? State the conditions required to be a national political party
National Political Party have units in the various states, they follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level.
Conditions required to be a national political party
(i) A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in general elections of Lok Sabha or assembly elections in four states.
(ii) Wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha.
What is meant by ‘Political Party’? Describe the three components of a political party.
A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
Three components of a political parties are:
1) The leaders
2) The active members
3) The followers
‘‘No party system is ideal for all countries and in all situations.’’ Analyse the statement.
(i) Party system develops over a long time, depending on the nature of society.
(ii) It depends on social and regional divisions .
(iii) It depends on history of politics and its system of elections.
(iv) It cannot be changed very quickly.
(v) Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special situations.
How do political parties shape public opinion ?
Or Analyse the role of political parties in shaping public opinion.
Or How do political parties influence public opinion? Examine.
(i) Parties raise and highlight issues of public interest.
(ii) Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country.
(iii) Many of the pressure groups are the extensions of political parties among different sections of society.
(iv) Parties sometimes launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by people.
Explain how the rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.
Or “The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.” Support the statement.
(i) Large societies need representative democracy.
(ii) Large and complex societies require an agency to come together on various issues and present them to the government.
(iii) Political parties fulfill these needs.
(iv) Political parties try to bring various representatives together.
(v) Representatives form a responsible democratic government
“Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition.” Support the statement with arguments.
No one national party is able to secure on its own a majority in the Lok Sabha, until 2014. As a result, the national parties are compelled to form alliances with State parties.
Since 1996, nearly every one of the State parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.
How is one- party system different from two-party system? Explain with examples.
(i) Countries where only one party controls and runs the government. This is called one party system.
Example—China.
(ii) Countries where power usually changes between two main political parties, This is called two party system.
Example—USA and UK.
Lack of internal democracy within parties is the major challenge to political parties all over the world."Analyse the statement
(i) In political parties the power is concentrated with one or few leaders at the top.
(ii) Parties do not keep membership registers.
(iii)They do not hold organizational meetings.
(iv) They do not conduct internal elections regularly.
(v) Ordinary members have no information about the internal working of the party.
Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties.
(i)A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties.
(ii) It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members.
(iii) It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third, to women candidates.
(iv) There should be state funding of elections.
(v) The government should give parties money to support their election
(vi) There should be a quota for women in the decision making bodies of the party.
‘‘Politics and social divisions should not be allowed to mix.’’ Justify the
statement.
(i) Democracy involves political competition which tends to divide society.
(ii) It can make social divisions into political division and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country.
(iii) Political parties talk about social divisions, make different promises to different communities.
(iv) Social division affects voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others.
Describe any three main features of two-party system.
(i) Power usually changes between two parties.
(ii) In such system people get clear choice.
(iii) The party that wins majority forms the government and the other sits in opposition.
(iv) Prompt decisions are tken and implemented.
(v) The United States of America and the United Kingdom are examples of two party system.
How are political parties recognized as regional and national Parties in india. Explain with examples.
1. Regional Party :
A party to secure at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a state and win at least two seats.
Example : Trinmool Congress, Shiv Sena, DMK etc.
2. National Party :
A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in Lok Sabha election or Assembly in four states and wins at least four seats in Lok Sabha.
For example: BJP, Indian National Congress, etc.
Describe any five features of Bharatia Janata Party.
Or When was the Bharatiya Janta Party was founded. Describe any four of its policies and programmes.
(i) Bharatiya Janata Party founded in 1980
(ii) Cultural nationalism or ‘Hindutva’ is its important concept.
(iii) It wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values.
(iv) It Wants full territorial and political integration of J&K with India.
(v) It wants a uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion, and ban on religious conversions.
Describe any three policies of Indian National Congress party.
(i) Congress party support secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.
(ii) Indian National Congress is a centrist party
(iii) It supports new economic reforms
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Formed in 1999
Espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and federalism.
In 2019 Lok Sabha election, it won 1.4% votes and 5 seats.
How do money and muscle power play an important role in elections ?
Explain.
(i) Role of money and muscle power in parties during elections is growing.
(ii) Parties tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money.
(iii) Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the party.
(iv) In some cases parties support criminals who can win election.
(v) Democrats of all over the world are worried about the increasing role of rich people and big companies in democratic politics.
Explain merits and demerits of multi - party system.
Merit:
(i) This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.
(ii) Multi-party system accommodates the social and geographical diversity
(iii) Multi-party system voters have more choices
Demerit:
(i) The multiparty system often appears very messy.
(ii) The multiparty system oftenleads to political instability.
Explain the role of Election Commission regarding recognition of Political parties in India?
(i) Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission.
(ii) Parties are given a unique symbol by the commission.
(iii) Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are ‘recognised’ by the Election Commission.
(iv) The commission treats all parties equally, but it offers some special facilities to large and established parties.
(v) The Election Commission has laid down detailed criteria of the proportion of votes and seats that a party must get in order to be a recognised party.
Describe any five features of Indian National Congress Party
(i) Indian National Congress is one of the oldest parties of the world.
(iii) Indian National Congress was founded in 1885.
(iv) Congress party support secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.
(v) Indian National Congress is a centrist party
(vi) Indian National Congress has played an important role in freedom struggle of India.
“All over the world, people express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform their functions well.” Analyse the statement with arguments
Parties are the 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 working of political parties.
(i) Lack of internal democracy within parties.
(ii) Dynastic succession.
(iii) Growing role of money and muscle power in parties.
(iv) Lack of meaningful choice to the voters.
Describe any five major functions of political parties
Or Highlight any five functions of political parties to strengthen democracy.
Or “Political parties have become omnipresent in democracies all over the world.” Explain the statement with examples.
Or Describe the role of political parties in modern democracy.
Or “Political parties play an important role in democratic countries” Justify the statement.
Or Describe the distinctive role of political parties in a democracy.
Or Describe the role of political parties in Indian democracy.
Or Describe the importance of political parties in a Democratic Government.
(i) Contest elections : Parties contest elections by putting up candidates. Candidates are selected by members and supporters of a party or by top party leaders
(ii) Making policies and programmes :Parties put different policies and programmes before the people.
(iii) Making Laws : Parties play a major role in making laws for the country.
(iv) Form and run government : Parties form and run government. The big policy decisions are taken by the political executives which belongs from a political party
(v) Role of opposition : Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power.
‘‘It is very difficult to reform politics through legal ways.’’ Evaluate the statement.
(i) Carefully devised changes in law can help discourage wrong political practices and encourage good ones.But legal constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challanges to democracy.
(iii) Any legal change must carefully look at what results it will have on politics. Sometimes the result may be counterproductive.
(iv) Democratic reforms are to carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.
(v) Laws that give political actors incentives to do good things have more chances of working.
What is a multi-partysystem? Why has India adopted a multiparty system?Explain.
If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we call it a multiparty system.
India adopted a multi party system because :-
(i) There is social and geographical diversity in India.
(ii) India is such a large country which is not easily absorbed by two or three parties.
(iii)The system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.
‘‘Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political parties.’’ Analyse the statement.
(i) Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning.
(ii) There are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.
(iii) In many parties the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.
(iv) People who are leaders take unfair advantage to gain favour from people close to them or their family members.
(v) People who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy position of power.
Describe the importance of regional political parties in strengthening democracy.
(i) Regional parties has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.
(ii) Regional political parties made the Parliament of India politically more and more diverse.
(iii) When no single party is get a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major national parties had to enter into an alliance with many parties including several regional parties to form a government at the Centre.
(iv) Regional parties have good understanding of the problems and needs of the respective states.
(v) This has led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of State Governments.
Analyze the major challenges faced by the political parties in India.
Or Which three challenges do you feel are being faced by political
1. lack of internal democracy within parties: The power is concentrated with one or few leaders at the top. Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly.
2. Dynastic succession : In many parties the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.There are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.
3. Growth of money and muscle power in parties : Parties nominate those candidates who have lot of money. Rich people and companies who fund parties influence party policies and decisions.
4. Lack of meaningful choice to the voters : Parties do not have offer a meaningful choice to the voters.
‘‘Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties.’’ Examine the statement.
Or Describe the necessity of political parties in democracy
Or Why do we need political parties ? Highlight any five reasons.
Or Describe the needs of political parties.
Or “Political parties are necessary condition for a democracy”- Analysestatement with example.
Or Why are political parties a necessary condition for a democracy? Explain.
(i) Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties.
(ii) If we do not have political parties – in such a situation every candidate in elections will be independent.
(iii) Independent elected representatives will be accountable only to their constituency. But no one will be responsible for how the country will be run.
(iv) Government may be formed without political party but its utility will remain ever uncertain.
(v) The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.
(vi) Political parties bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed.
(vii) Large and complex societies require an agency to come together on various issues and present them to the government. Political parties fulfill these needs.
‘‘Serious efforts were made by the legal organisations to reform political parties in India.’’ Support the statement.
Or “There are various reforms taken to strengthen parties in India so that they perform their function well.” Explain the statement with examples.
Or Describe any five efforts made to reform political parties in India.
Or Describe the recent efforts that have been made in India to reform political parties.
Or Explain any three efforts done to reform political parties in India.
(i) Anti -Defection Law - The constitution was amended to prevent MPs and MLAs from changing parties .
(ii) Details of Property and criminal cases : It is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.
(iii) File an Income Tax Return : The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.
Or
(i) Anti -Defection Law - The constitution was amended to prevent MPs and MLAs from changing parties .
(ii) Details of Property : It is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.
(iii) Details of criminal cases : It is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of criminal cases pending against him.
(iv) File an Income Tax Return : The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties file their income tax returns.
(v) The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections.

4. Political Parties

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