CH:4 POLITICAL PARTIES...

WHAT IS A POLITICAL PARTY?

A political party is a group of people who come together to contest

elections and hold power in the government.

They share a common ideology and aim to promote the collective good of
society.

🗝Key Points:
•Group of like-minded people
•Contest elections
•Aim to form government
•Promote public welfare

Three components of political parties:

1. The Leaders:

•They are the decision-makers of the party.

•Represent the party in elections and public platforms.
•Form policies and guide the party's direction.

2. The Active Members:

•These are dedicated members involved in the daily activities of the

party.
•Work under the guidance of leaders.
•Organize rallies, campaigns, and meetings.

3. The Followers and Supporters:

•These are the ordinary citizens who believe in the party's ideology.
•They support the party during elections by voting.
•May not be actively involved in party work but are loyal supporters.

FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES:

1. Contesting Elections:
Parties nominate candidates to fight elections in various constituencies.

2. Forming Policies and Programs:

They prepare plans and policies based on people's needs and ideologies.

3. Making Laws:
Elected party members participate in law-making in the legislature.

4. Running the Government:

The party that wins majority forms the government and implements
policies.

5. Acting as Opposition:
Parties that lose act as opposition party and criticize the ruling party
when needed.

6. Shaping Public Opinion:

Parties shape public opinion through media, rallies, and campaigns, they
influence people's view.

7. Link Between People and Government:

Parties raise public issues and convey citizens' demands to the
government.

Political parties are necessary in a democracy for the following

reasons:

1. Provide Choice to Voters:

Parties give people different policies and leaders to choose from during
elections.

2. Form and Run Governments:

Parties that win elections form the government and take decisions on
behalf of the people.

3. Shape Public Opinion:

They help people understand political issues through debates, rallies,
and media.

4. Act as Link Between People and Government :

Parties listen to people's problems and convey them to the government.

5. Ensure Responsible Opposition:

Parties not in power keep a check on the ruling party by questioning its
decisions.

HOW MANY PARTIES SHOULD WE HAVE?

There is no fixed number of political parties a country should have.

The number depends on the nature of society, population, and diversity.

There are three main types of party systems found in different

countries. The type of system depends on the political history at
country.

1. One-Party System:

•Only one political party is allowed to exist and run the government.
•No competition in elections.
•Example: China (Communist Party)
•Not considered a true democracy because people have no real choice.

2. Two-Party System:

•Two major political parties dominate the political scene.

•Power usually shifts between these two parties.
•Example: United States (Democratic and Republican), United Kingdom
•Offers stability
•Limited choice for voters

3. Multi-Party System:

•More than two strong parties compete for power.

•Often leads to coalition governments (when no single party gets
majority).
•Example: India, France
•Represents diversity
•Offers voters multiple choices
•Sometimes unstable governments

India's Case:

India has a multi-party system because:

•It is a large and diverse country.

•People belong to different religions, languages, castes, and cultures.
•Different groups need different parties to represent their interests.

🗝Key Points:
•No ideal number of parties
•Depends on country's needs.
•One-party Not democratic
•Two-party Simple, but less choice
•Multi-party More choice, suits India

NATIONAL PARTIES:

What is a National Party?

A national party is a political party that has influence across the whole
country.(Or)
National parties are those which operate and influence political
decisions at the national level, not just limited to a specific region or
state.

Need for National Parties:

•To maintain unity in a diverse country like India
•To represent national issues like defence, economy, foreign policy
•To bring equal development in all states

Recognition Criteria (by Election Commission):

A party is recognized as a National Party if:

1. It gets 6% or more votes in Lok Sabha elections or Legislative

Assembly elections in four or more states AND

2. It wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha

Examples of National Parties:

1. Indian National Congress (INC):

Founded: 1880Founder: A. O. Hume (with Indian leaders)
Ideology: Secularism, democracy, welfare of all
Symbol: Hand

Key Features:
•Played a major role in India's freedom struggle
•Promotes welfare policies for poor and backward classes
•Supports minority rights, secular values, and economic reforms

Main Area of Influence: Pan-India {present in most states}

2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
Founded: 1980
Founder: Syama Prasad Mukherjee
Ideology: Nationalism, cultural values, strong central government
Symbol: Lotus

Key Features:
•Believes in nation-first policy
•Supports Uniform Civil Code
•Emphasis on self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and digital India
•Major political party currently leading the central government

Main Area of Influence: Pan-India (strong presence across most states)

3. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):

Founded: 1984
Founder: Kanshi Ram
Ideology: Upliftment of Dalits, OBCs, and minorities
Symbol: Elephant

Key Features:
•Works for the upliftment of weaker sections of society
•Follows the teachings of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
•Emphasizes on constitutional rights and reservation policies

Main Area of Influence: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,

Uttarakhand

4. Communist Party of India (Marxist) - CPI(M):

Founded: 1964
Ideology: Marxism, socialism
Symbol: Hammer, sickle and star

Key Features:
•Opposes capitalism and privatization
•Supports land reforms and labour rights
•Focuses on pro-poor policies and public welfare

Main Area of Influence: Kerala, West Bengal, Tripura

5. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):

Founded: 2012
Founder: Arvind Kejriwal
Ideology: Anti-corruption, good governance, welfare schemes.
Symbol: Broom

Key Features:
•Emerged from the India Against Corruption Movement
•Focus on education, health, electricity, and water
•Promotes clean politics and people's participation

Main Area of Influence: Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Gujarat

6. National People's Party (NPP):

Founded: 2013
Ideology: Regionalism, Tribal rights, Development of North-East India
Founder: P. A. Sangma
Symbol: Book
Key Features:
•First national party from the North-East
•Works for indigenous and tribal communities
•Focuses on education, development, and social justice

Main Area of Influence: Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland

Role of National Parties:

1.Represent national interest

2.Help in forming government at the centre
3.Frame policies that impact the whole country
4.Build connections across all states and regions

STATE PARTIES:

What are State Parties?

A State Party (also called regional party) is a political party that

functions only within a particular state and mainly focuses on state-
level issues.

Recognition Criteria (Election Commission):

A party is recognized as a State Party if:

1. It wins at least 6% of valid votes in the Legislative Assembly of the

state AND

2. Wins at least 2 seats in the state assembly

Features of State Parties:

•Represent local interests and regional identity.
•Work for development of their state
•Can play a role in national politics by joining coalitions

Examples of State Parties:

State Party Name:

•Tamil Nadu DMK, AIADMK

•West Bengal TMC (All India Trinamool Congress)
•Maharashtra Shiv Sena, MNS
•Uttar Pradesh Samajwadi Party, RLD
•Odisha Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
•Telangana BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi)

🗝Key Points to Remember:

•Recognized in one state only
•Focus on state issues
•Can be part of national coalitions
•Represent local culture, language, and needs

Functions and Importance:

1. Represent Regional Interests: State parties raise issues related to

the specific needs, culture, and language of the people of
2. Promote Local Development: Focus on the economic, social, and
political development of their region.

3. Coalition Role at National Level: Many state parties support national

coalitions (like UPA, NDA), making them important in c government
formation.

4. Encourage Political Diversity: They strengthen federalism by giving

voice to diverse communities.

CHALLENGES TO POLITICAL PARTIES:

Political parties in India face the following major challenges:

1. Lack of Internal Democracy: Power is often concentrated in the hands

of a few leaders. Ordinary workers are not consulted

2. Dynastic Succession: Leadership is passed on to family members, which

reduces faimess and talent-based leadership..

3. Money and Muscle Power: Use of illegal money and force to influence
voters and win elections.

4. Lack of Meaningful Choice: Most parties offer similar policies, giving

voters limited real choices.

🗝Key Points to Remember:

•No internal democracy
•Family rule
•Money & muscle misuse
•Limited voter choice

HOW CAN BE POLITICAL PARTIES REFORMED?

1.Internal Democracy :
•Parties should hold regular internal elections.
•Decision-making must be transparent and fair.

2.Transparency in Funding:
•Parties must disclose their income and expenses.
•Limit use of black money and unfair donations.

3. Ban on Criminal Candidates:

•People with criminal background should be disqualified from elections.
•Strict laws needed to stop criminalization of politics.

4.Mandatory Declaration by Candidates:

•Candidates must declare their assets, education, and criminal cases.
•Helps voters make informed choices.

5. Women Representation:
•Reserve at least 33% seats for women in party and elections.
•Promotes gender equality.

6.Public Pressure & Legal Reforms:

•Citizens, media, RTI can demand reforms.
•Courts and Election Commission can enforce changes.
QUESTIONS :

Q1. What are political parties? Why do we need them in a democracy?

Q2. Explain any three components of a political party.

Q3. Mention any three functions of political parties.

Q4. “Political parties are necessary for a democracy.” Justify the

statement.

Q5. How do parties shape public opinion? Give three ways.

Q6. Explain the difference between a one-party system and a multiparty

system.

Q7. What is meant by an alliance? Give one example.

Q8. Why has India adopted a multiparty system? Give any three reasons.

Q9. What is a national party? Name any two national parties and mention
their symbols.

Q10. Write any three differences between national and state parties.

Q11. State the features of a recognized state party in India.

Q12. On what basis is a party recognized as a national party by the

Election Commission?

Q13. Mention any three features of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Q14. Mention any three features of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Q15. Mention any three features of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Q16. Write short notes on:

a) Aam Aadmi Party
b) CPI(M)
c) National People's Party (NPP)

Q17. What are the major challenges faced by political parties in India?
(Mention any three)

Q18. Explain any three challenges related to internal democracy within

political parties.

Q19. What is meant by the challenge of dynastic succession in political

parties?

Q20. Describe any three steps taken to reform political parties in India.

Q21. Suggest any three ways to strengthen political parties in India.

Q22. Explain any three legal or constitutional measures taken to reform

political parties.
Q23. How can ordinary citizens reform political parties? Mention three
ways.

Q24. Why do political parties fail to perform their expected role in a

democratic setup?

Q25. How do political parties create and express public opinion? Explain
with examples.

Q26. “Political parties often promote the interest of only a few groups.”
Do you agree? Why/why not?

Q27. Suppose you are forming a new political party. What values and
promises will you include in your party manifesto? (Write any three)