Why Do We Need Political Parties?

Political parties are groups of people who come together to contest elections
and hold power in the government. They agree on policies and programmes
to promote the collective good. Parties represent fundamental political
divisions in society and are known for their policies, interests, and values. A
political party typically consists of leaders, active members, and followers.
Functions of Political Parties
Political parties play several crucial roles in a democracy:
1. Contesting elections: Parties participate in elections and offer various
policies and programmes for voters to choose from.
2. Making laws: Parties play a vital role in legislatures, shaping and passing
laws for the country.
3. Forming and running governments: Parties that win elections form
governments and govern the country.
4. Opposition: Parties that lose elections serve as the opposition, holding
the government accountable and voicing different views.
5. Shaping public opinion: Parties influence public opinion through their
policies and actions.
6. Access to government: Parties provide people access to government
machinery and welfare schemes.
The Necessity of Political Parties
Political parties are essential because they fulfill these functions and represent
diverse views in society. They bring together representatives to form
responsible governments, make policies, and justify or oppose them, fulfilling
the needs of representative democracy.
How Many Parties Should We Have?
In a democracy, any group of citizens can form a political party. While over
750 parties are registered in India, the effectiveness of parties varies. One-
party systems and two-party systems are less desirable than multi-party
systems, where several parties compete for power. India operates under a
multiparty system, promoting diverse political representation.
National Parties
National parties are political organizations recognized at the national level by
the Election Commission of India. These parties operate across multiple
states and regions of the country. To be recognized as a national party, a
political party must fulfill certain criteria set by the Election Commission:
 Securing at least 6% of the total votes in an election to the Legislative
Assembly of a State and winning at least 2 seats is recognized as a State
Party.
 Securing at least 6% of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly
elections in four states and winning at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha is
recognized as a National Party.
National parties play a significant role in shaping national politics and policies.
They have a presence in various states and often contest elections across the
country. They may have distinct ideologies, policies, and organizational
structures that differentiate them from regional parties.
Major National Parties in India
India has several major national parties that play a prominent role in the
country's political landscape. These parties have a significant presence across
various states and regions of India. Here are some of the major national
parties:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Founded in 1980, the BJP is one of the
largest political parties in India. It espouses the ideology of Hindutva and
advocates for cultural nationalism. The party has a strong presence in both
urban and rural areas and has been in power at the national level multiple
times.
Indian National Congress (INC): The Indian National Congress, often
referred to as the Congress Party, is one of the oldest political parties in India.
Founded in 1885, it played a pivotal role in the Indian independence
movement. The party advocates for secularism, social justice, and inclusive
development. It has had a significant influence on Indian politics and has been
in power for several terms at the national level.
Communist Party of India (CPI): The CPI is a left-wing political party in India
that follows the principles of Marxism-Leninism. It advocates for socialism,
secularism, and democracy. The party has a strong presence in states like
Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M): The CPI-M is a splinter group
of the CPI that was formed in 1964. It also adheres to the principles of
Marxism-Leninism and focuses on socialist policies, secularism, and
democracy. The party has a significant presence in states like West Bengal,
Kerala, and Tripura.
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC): Founded in 1998 by Mamata
Banerjee, the AITC is a regional party that gained prominence in West
Bengal. It advocates for secularism, federalism, and the welfare of the people.
The party has expanded its presence to other states as well.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): The BSP was founded in 1984 by Kanshi Ram
and focuses on representing the interests of the Bahujan Samaj, which
includes Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and religious minorities. It has a significant
presence in Uttar Pradesh and other states in northern India.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Formed in 1999 following a split from the
Congress party, the NCP supports democracy, secularism, and social justice.
It has a major presence in Maharashtra and has been a coalition partner in
several governments.
Related Links –
State Parties
State parties, also known as regional parties, play a significant role in India's
political landscape, particularly at the state level. These parties primarily focus
on the interests and issues specific to a particular state or region. Here are
some examples of state parties in India:
Biju Janata Dal (BJD): The BJD is a regional party based in the state of
Odisha. It was founded by Naveen Patnaik in 1997 and advocates for the
development and welfare of Odisha and its people.
Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF): The SDF is the ruling party in the state of
Sikkim. It was founded in 1993 by Pawan Chamling and focuses on the socio-
economic development of Sikkim and the welfare of its people.
Mizo National Front (MNF): The MNF is a regional party in the state of
Mizoram. It was formed in 1959 and has played a significant role in Mizoram's
politics. The party advocates for the interests of the Mizo people and the
development of Mizoram.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS): The TRS is a regional party based in the
state of Telangana. It was founded by K. Chandrashekar Rao in 2001 and
played a crucial role in the formation of the separate state of Telangana. The
party focuses on the development and welfare of Telangana and its people.

Challenges to Political Parties

• Lack of Internal Democracy
• Challenge of Dynastic Succession
• Growing Role of Money and Muscle Power
• Meaningful choice

How can Parties be reformed?

Recent efforts and suggestions in India
• The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from
changing parties.
• New law states that if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose
the seat in the legislature.
• The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and
criminals.
• The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political
parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.
Some suggestions to reform political parties
• A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties.
• To give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third, to women candidates
• There should be state funding of elections.
• There are two other ways in which political parties can be reformed.