POLITICAL PARTIES
UNIT – 3
CHAPTER- 6
WHAT ARE POLITICAL PARTIES ?
A political party is a group of people who come together to contest
elections and hold power in the government.
They agree on some policies and programes for the society with a view to
promote the collective good.
Since there can be different views on what is good for all, parties try to
persuade people why their policies are better than others.
They seek to implement these policies by winning popular support through
elections.
SOME IMPORTANT FEATURES OF
POLITICAL PARTIES
parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society.
Parties are about a part of the society and thus involve PARTISANSHIP.
Thus a party is known by which part it stands for, which policies it supports
and whose interests it upholds.
A political party has three components:
l) the leaders,
2) the active members and
3) the followers
FUNCTIONS OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES
1) Parties contest elections. In most
democracies, elections are fought mainly
among the candidates put up by political
parties.
2) Parties put forward different policies and
programmes and the voters choose from them.
3) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
4) Parties form and run governments.
5) Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the
parties in power, by voicing different views and criticising government for
its failures or wrong policies.
6) Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues. Parties have
lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country.
7) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare
schemes implemented by governments.
WHAT ARE THE NECESSITIES OF THE
POLITICAL PARTIES?
We can understand the necessity of political parties by imagining a situation
without parties. Every candidate in the elections will be independent. So no
one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy
changes. The government may be formed, but its utility will remain ever
uncertain.
The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative
democracies. As we have seen, large societies need representative
democracy. As societies became large and complex, they also needed some
agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the
government. They needed some ways, to bring various representatives
together so that a responsible government could be formed.
They needed a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make
policies, justify or
TYPES OF POLITICAL PARTIES
SINGLE PARTY MULTI PARTY
SYSTEMS BI- PARTY SYSTEMS SYSTEMS
In some countries, only one party In some countries, power usually If several parties compete for power,
changes between two main and more than two parties have a
is allowed to control and run the reasonable chance of coming to
government. These are called parties. power either on their own strength or in
one-party systems. Several other parties may exist, alliance with others, we call it a
multiparty system.
contest elections and win a few
We cannot consider one-party seats in the national legislatures. When several parties in a multi-party
system as a good option because But only the two main parties system join hands for the purpose of
this is not a democratic option. have a serious chance of winning contesting elections and winning
Any democratic system must power, it is called an alliance or a front
majority of seats to form
allow at least two parties to government. The multiparty system often appears
compete in elections and provide very messy and leads to political
Such a party system is called two- instability. At the same time, this system
a fair chance for the competing party system. allows a variety of interests and opinions
parties to come to power. to enjoy political representation.
SO WHICH POLITICAL PARTY IS THE
BEST?CAN WE SAY ?
Perhaps the best answer to this very common question is that this is not a
very good question. Party system is not something any country can choose. It
evolves over a long time, depending on the nature of society, its social and
regional divisions, its history of politics and its system of elections. These
cannot be changed very quickly. Each country develops a party system that
is conditioned by its special circumstances. 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 or even three parties. No
system is ideal for all countries and all situations.
NATIONAL PARTIES V/S STATE PARTIES
NATIONAL PARTIES STATE PARTIES
There are some countrywide parties, Parties that are present in only one of
which are called ‘national parties’. the federal units are called state
These parties have their units in various parties.
states.
A party that secures at least six per
A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election
cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha to the Legislative Assembly of a State
elections or Assembly elections in four and wins at least two seats is
States and wins at least four seats in recognized as a State party.
the Lok Sabha is recognized as a
national party.
NATIONAL PARTIES OF INDIA
There are currently seven recognized political parties in India:
INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
BHARTIYA JANTA PARTY
BAHUJAN SAMAJ PARTY
COMMUIST PARTY OF INDIA - MARXIST
COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA
NATIONAL CONGRESS PARTY
ALL INDIA TRINAMOOL CONGRESS
ALL INDIA TRINAMOOL CONGRESS
PARTY
Launched on 1 January 1998 under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
Recognised as a national party in 2016.
The party’s symbol is flowers and grass. Committed to secularism and
federalism. Has been in power in West Bengal since 2011.
Also has a presence in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.
In the General Elections held in 2014, it got 3.84% votes and won 34 seats,
making it the fourth largest party in the Lok Sabha.
BAHUJAN SAMAJ PARTY
Formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. Seeks to represent and
secure power for the bahujan samaj which includes the dalits, adivasis, OBCs
and religious minorities.
Draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma
Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb Ambedkar.
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. In the Lok Sabha elections held in 2014, it
polled about 4 per cent votes but did not secure seat in the Lok Sabha.
BHARTIYA JANTA PARTY
Founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, formed by Syama
Prasad Mukherjee in 1951. Wants to build a strong and modern India by
drawinginspiration from India’s ancient culture and values; and Deendayal Upadhyaya’s
ideas of integral humanism and Antyodaya.
Cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’) is an important element in its conception of Indian
nationhood and politics.
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. Its support base increased substantially in the 1990s.
Earlier limited to north and west and to urban areas, the party expanded its support 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)
including several regional parties. Emerged as the largest party with 282 members in the
2014 Lok Sabha elections. Currently leads the ruling NDA government at the Centre.
INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
Popularly known as the Congress Party. One of the oldest parties of the world.
Founded in 1885 and has experienced many splits. 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. 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.
Supports new economic reforms but with a human face.
Leader of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2014.
Currently it is the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA –
MARXIST
Founded in 1964. Believes in Marxism Leninism.
Supports socialism, secularism and democracy and opposes imperialism and
communalism.
Accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for securing the
objective of socioeconomic justice in India.
Enjoys strong support in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, especially among the
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.
Was in power in West Bengal without a break for 34 years. In the 2014 Lok Sabha
elections, it won about 3 per cent of votes and 9 seats.
COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA
: Formed in 1925. Believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy.
Opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism.
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.
Its support base had gradually declined over the years. It secured less than
1 per cent votes and 1 seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Advocates
the coming together of all left parties to build a strong left front.
NATIONAL CONGRESS PARTY
Formed in 1999 following a split in the Congress party.
Espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and
federalism.
Wants that high offices in government be confined to natural born citizens
of the country.
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. Since 2004, a member of the
United Progressive Alliance.
STATE PARTIES
Other than these seven parties, most of the major parties of the
country are classified by the Election Commission as ‘State
parties’. These are commonly referred to as regional parties.
Parties like the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal have
national level political organisation with units in several states.
Some of these parties like Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front,
Mizo National Front and Telangana Rashtra Samithi are conscious
about their State identity.
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
CHALLENGES TO POLITICAL PARTIES
LACK OF INTERNAL DEMOCRACY
DYNASTIC SUCCESSION IN THE POLITICAL PARTIES
USE OF MONEY AND MUSCLE POWER IN PARTIES
LACK OF MEANINGFUL CHOICE OFFERED TO THE
VOTERS
LACK OF INTERNAL DEMOCRACY
All over the world there is a tendency in political parties towards the concentration of
power in one or few leaders at the top.
Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organizational meetings, and do
not conduct internal elections regularly.
Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside
the party.
They do not have the means or the connections needed to influence the decisions.
As a result the leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party.
Since one or few leaders exercise paramount power in the party, those who disagree with
the leadership find it difficult to continue in the party. More than loyalty to party principles
and policies, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important.
DYNASTIC SUCCESSION IN PARTIES
Since 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 favor people close to them or even their family members.
In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of
one family.
This is unfair to other members of that party. This is also bad for democracy,
since people who do not have adequate experience or popular support
come to occupy positions of power.
USE OF MONEY AND MUSCLE POWER
In parties, especially during elections. Since parties are focused only on
winning elections, they tend to use short-cuts to win elections.
They 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.
In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections. Democrats
all over the world are worried about the increasing role of rich people and
big companies in democratic politics.
LACK OF MEANINGFUL CHOICE
OFFERED 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 in most parts of the world.
For example, the difference between the Labour Party and the
Conservative Party in Britain is very little. They agree on more fundamental
aspects but differ only in details on how policies are to be framed and
implemented.
Those who want really different policies have no option available to them.
Sometimes people cannot even elect very different leaders either,
because the same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another.
REFORMING THE POLITICAL PARTIES
The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs 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 if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the
seat in the legislature. This new law has helped bring defection down.
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.
The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political
parties to hold their organizational elections and file their income tax returns.
SOME MORE REFORMS SUGGESTED
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.
THANKYOU
