The political parties are basically an organized group of persons that have common ideas on governance and work together as a political entity to gain control of the government in order to forward their agenda and policies. The political parties in India's governance system are divided into two categories: national political parties and state or regional political parties. The UPSC Indian Polity and Governance Syllabus includes Political Parties in India which is described in this article.

Political Parties

Definition: A political party is an organized group of persons that have common ideas on governance and work together as a political entity to gain control of the government in order to forward their agenda and policies.

Aim: They keep the public in touch with those who represent them in government and opposition.

Constitutional Status: Political parties are extra-constitutional in India, but they remain the lifeblood of the political system.

Political Parties In India - Historical Background

• From 1952 until 1964, the Congress Party was the dominant political party in India, and the country's democracy was basically a one-party system known as the 'Congress system'.
• With the death of Jawahar Lal Nehru and the 1967 elections, the congress system's supremacy was challenged. The Congress lost majorities in eight states, and its Lok Sabha majority was reduced to 54% of the seats. Regional parties began to sprout up around the country.
• In 1977, a new coalition led by the Janata Party developed. In India, this resulted in the formation of a multi-party system. Rather than forming an ideological consensus, a number of smaller parties banded together to challenge Congress.
• From 1989 to the present, there has been a multi-party system and coalition politics.

Eligibility For Status Of Political Party

A party is recognized as a State Party, if any of the following requirements are met:

• If it wins at least 6% of valid votes polled in a general election held either to the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly of the State and also wins at least 1 seat in Lok Sabha or 2 seats in the Legislative Assembly of the state.
• If it wins at least 8% of valid votes are polled in a general election held either to the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly of a state.
• If it wins at least 3% of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of a state or 3 seats in the Legislative Assembly whichever is higher.
• If it wins at least 1 seat in Lok Sabha out of every 25 seats allocated to the States in Lok Sabha.
• There are 64 political parties that have been recognized as State Political Parties by the Election Commission at present.

A party is recognized as National Political Party (NPP) if a full fill any of the following conditions:

• If it wins at least 6% of valid votes polled in a general election held either to the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly of the State in 4 or more states and also wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha from 1 or more states.
• If it wins at least 8% of valid votes polled in a general election held either to the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly of a state in 4 or more states.
• If it wins at least 2% of the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha from 3 or more states.
• There are 8 political parties that have been recognized as National Political Party by the Election Commission at present.
• Latest NPP: The Election Commission of India has designated the National People's Party (NPP) as India's eighth national party, making it the first regional party from the northeast to get this honour.

Functions Of Political Parties In India

• During elections, they nominate candidates.
• The campaign to gain support for their election candidates.
• They use manifestos to put their goals and programs in front of voters.
• Those who win a majority in elections form the government and enact and implement policies; those who win a majority in elections form the government and enact and implement policies.
• Those who are not in power form opposition and keep the government in check.
• When they are in the minority in the legislature, they form an opposition and put persistent pressure on the administration for good governance.
• They educate the public and assist in the formation and shaping of public opinion.
• They express people's demands and communicate them to the government.

Conclusion

It is past time to de-communalize political parties and constitutionalizes them in order to secure intra-party democracy and financial transparency.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is an example of a national party in India?

A) Shiv Sena
B) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
C) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
D) Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)

2. What is the minimum number of states in which a party must be recognized as a state party to qualify as a national party?

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5

3. What is the main role of the Election Commission of India concerning political parties?

A) Conducting party meetings
B) Regulating party finances
C) Organizing party campaigns
D) Drafting party manifestos

4. Which legislative act governs the registration of political parties in India?

A) Representation of the People Act, 1950
B) Indian Penal Code, 1860
C) Representation of the People Act, 1951
D) Government of India Act, 1935

5. What is one major function of political parties in a democracy?

A) Managing economic policies
B) Representing public interests in government
C) Regulating trade
D) Conducting national censuses

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Examine the role of political parties in shaping democracy in India.

Answer: Political parties are fundamental to the functioning of democracy in India as they bridge the gap between the government and the citizens. They articulate public opinion, aggregate diverse views, and present them through manifestos and legislative actions. By nominating candidates and conducting election campaigns, parties facilitate public participation in the electoral process. They play a crucial role in policy-making by proposing legislation and debating laws in legislative bodies. Additionally, political parties contribute to political stability by forming governments and providing a structured opposition. However, the influence of money, dynastic politics, and lack of internal democracy within parties pose challenges. Strengthening regulations and promoting transparency and accountability within political parties can enhance their effectiveness and contribution to democratic governance.

Q2: Discuss the challenges faced by regional political parties in India.

Answer: Regional political parties in India play a vital role in representing local interests and addressing state-specific issues. However, they face several challenges, such as limited resources, difficulty in expanding influence beyond their region, and competition from national parties with more significant funding and reach. These parties often rely heavily on regional issues and identity politics, which may limit their ability to form alliances or influence national policies effectively. Additionally, the presence of coalition politics can lead to policy compromises that may not align with regional interests. Ensuring fair political funding, fostering alliances, and balancing regional and national interests are essential strategies for regional parties to sustain and enhance their influence.

Q3: Analyze the importance of internal democracy in political parties and its impact on Indian politics.

Answer: Internal democracy within political parties is crucial for the health of a democratic political system. It ensures that decision-making processes are transparent and inclusive, allowing party members to voice their opinions and influence policies. In India, the lack of internal democracy often leads to centralized power structures, dynastic politics, and limited participation from grassroots members. This weakens the representation of diverse interests and can result in policy decisions that do not reflect the broader party consensus. Strengthening internal democracy can lead to more dynamic and responsive political parties that better represent the aspirations of their supporters and contribute to a robust democratic framework. This requires reforms such as transparent candidate selection processes, regular internal elections, and accountability mechanisms within parties.

Previous Year Questions on Political Parties in India

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019:

Question: Which of the following criteria must be met for a political party to be recognized as a national party in India?

A) Winning seats in at least one state election
B) Recognition in at least four states
C) Winning 5% of the total votes in a single state
D) Conducting elections in three states

Answer: (B)

Explanation: To be recognized as a national party, a political party must be recognized as a state party in at least four states as per the Election Commission's criteria.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Evaluate the impact of regional political parties on the federal structure of India."

Answer: Regional political parties have significantly impacted India's federal structure by ensuring that state-specific issues receive attention at the national level. They have facilitated a more balanced distribution of power by representing regional aspirations and influencing coalition governments. This has led to the decentralization of decision-making and greater autonomy for states. However, it has also posed challenges such as policy fragmentation and difficulties in reaching a national consensus on key issues. The rise of regional parties reflects the diversity of India's socio-political landscape and underscores the importance of maintaining a cooperative and inclusive federal structure.