Ch.
6 Political Parties
Q1. What is a political party? What are its components?
A. 1. 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
programmes for the society with a view to promote collective good.
2. A political party has three components:
a) The leaders b) The active members c) The followers
Q2. How do parties reflect fundamental political divisions?
(OR)
What are the characteristics of a political party?
A. Parties have become identities with social and political divisions.
1) A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections
and hold power in the government.
2) They agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to
promote the collective good.
3) Parties try to persuade people why their policies are better than others.
4) They seek to implement these policies by winning popular support through
elections.
5) Political parties reflect fundamental divisions in a society.
6) Parties are about a part of the society and thus involve ‘partisanship’.
Q3. Who is a Partisan?
A. A person who is strongly committed to a party, group or faction.
Partisanship is marked by a tendency to take a side and inability to take a
balanced view on an issue.
Q4. State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
(OR)
Why do we need Political parties? Justify.
A. FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES:
1) Parties contest elections to gain power:
a) In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put
up by political parties.
b) Parties select their candidates in different ways.
c) In USA, members and supporters of a party choose its candidates.
d) In India, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.
2) Policies and programmes:
a) Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose
from them.
b) Parties provide a direction in which policies can be formulated by the
governments.
c) A party reduces a vast multitude of opinions into a few basic positions which
it supports.
d) A government is expected to base its policies on the decisions taken by the
ruling party.
3) Making laws:
a) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
b) Laws are debated and passed in the legislature.
c) Most of the party members go by the direction of the party leadership,
irrespective of their personal opinions.
4) Parties form and run governments after winning elections:
a) The big policy decisions are taken by political executive that comes from the
political parties.
b) Parties recruit leaders, train them and make them ministers to run the
government in the way they want.
5) Role of opposition:
a) The parties that lose the elections play the role of opposition.
by voicing different views and criticizing government for its failures.
b) Opposition parties also mobilize opposition to the government.
6) Parties shape public opinion:
a) They raise and highlight issues.
b) Many of the pressure groups are extensions of political parties.
c) Parties launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by the people.
7) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare
schemes:
a) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.
b) They have to be responsive to people’s need and demands otherwise people
can reject those parties in next elections.
c) Ordinary citizens can easily approach a local party leader than government
officer.
d) They feel close to party though they don’t fully trust them.
Q5. “Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country”.
Explain.
A. a) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
b) Laws are debated and passed in the legislature.
c) Most of the party members they go by the direction of the party leadership,
irrespective of their personal opinions.
Q6. What is the role of opposition in a democracy?
A. a) The parties that lose the elections play the role of opposition.
b) Parties raise their voice on different views,criticizing the government for its
failures.
c) Opposition parties also mobilize opposition to the government.
Q7. How do political parties shape public opinion?
A. a) They raise and highlight issues.
b) Many of the pressure groups are extensions of political parties.
c) Parties launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by the people.
Q8A. Why are Political Parties a pre-condition for democracy?
(OR)
Why modern democracies cannot exist without political parties?
(OR)
What is the necessity of Political parties ?
(OR)
Why do we find Political Parties in almost all-countries of the world?
A. Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties because:
1) Every candidate in the elections will be independent.
2) No one will be able to make promises to the people about any major policy
changes.
3) The government will be formed, but its utility will remain uncertain.
4) Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency, but no one
will be responsible for how the country will be run.
5) At the non-party based elections to the panchayat in many states the parties
do not contest formally.
6)The village gets split into more than faction each of which puts up a panel of
its candidates. This is exactly what party does.
7) That is the reason we find political parties in almost all countries of the
world.
Q9. “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy”. Explain.
1) The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of
representative democracies.
2) As societies become larger and complex there is a need for some agency to
gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government.
3) They needed some ways to bring various representative together so that a
responsible government could be formed.
4) Modern democracies need a mechanism to support or restrain the
government, make policies justify or oppose them.
5) Political parties fulfil these needs that every representative government has.
Hence Political parties are necessary condition for democracy.
Q10. Define ‘Ruling party’.
A. Political party that runs government is called ruling party.
Q11.What is Election Commission? How many parties are registered with
the Election Commission of India?
A. An independent body which is constituted for the purpose of
superintendence, direction and conduct of elections is called Election
Commission.
More than 750 parties are registered with the Election Commission of India.
Q12. What is one party system ? Give example.
In a country where only one party is allowed to control and run the government
is called one party system.
Ex: China
Q13. Why cannot we consider one party system as a good option?
One party system is not a democratic option and is against the basic principle of
democracy.
Any democratic system must allow at least two parties to compete in election
and provide a fair chance for the competing parties to come to power.
Q14. What is bi-party or two- party system? Give examples.
A country in which only the two main parties have a serious chance of winning
majority seats to form government is called bi-party system or two-party
system.
Ex: USA and UK.
Q15. What is a multiparty system? What are its Advantages and
limitations?
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 is called multiparty system.
Ex: India
Advantage: It allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political
representation.
Limitation
It often appears very messy and leads to political instability.
Delay in decision making.
Q16. What is an ‘Alliance or 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 front.
Ex: NDA, UPA, Left Front in India.
Q17. Mention some factors which determines the party system of a
country.
A. Party system isn’t something any country can choose. It evolves over a long
time depending on
1) the nature of the society.
2) social and regional divisions.
3) its history of politics and
4) its system of elections.
Q18. Why do we have a multiparty system in India? Mention its
advantages.
(OR)
Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special
circumstances. Explain with an example
A. Party system isn’t something any country can choose. It evolves over a long
time
1. India has evolved a multi-party system because the social and geographical
diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three
parties.
2.This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political
representation.
Q19. What kind of political parties do democracies that follow a federal
system tend to have?
A. Democracies that follow a federal system all over the world tend to have two
kinds of political parties: Parties that are present in only one of the federal units
and parties that are present in several or all units of federation.
Q20. What are ‘recognised political parties’?
A. The large and established which have been offered special facilities and are
recognised by the Election Commission are known as recognised political
parties.
Special privileges:
1. Election Commission has laid down certain criteria for party to be a
recognised party.
2. These parties are given a unique symbol.
3. Only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol.
Q21. What is the criterion laid down by Election Commission in order to be
a recognised party at regional level and national level?
(OR)
What is a State party or Regional party? What is a National party? Give
examples.
A.1. State or Regional party: A party that secures at least 6% 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 or Regional party.
Ex: Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front etc.
2. National party: A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in
Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four
seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a National party.
Ex: INC, BJP, BSP etc.
( Learn TB pg 80 &81 Each National Party formation and their ideologies)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
Formed on 26 November 2012, following the 2011 anti-corruption movement.
The party was founded on the idea of accountability, clean administration,
transparency and good governance. In the year after its formation, AAP
emerged as the second largest party in the Delhi Legislative Assembly election.
It formed a government with the support of Indian National Congress (INC). It
also emerged as the third front in the politics of Gujarat after 2022 Gujarat
Legislative Assembly election. Presently, AAP formed governments in Punjab
and Delhi. In the Lok Sabha election held in 2019, it secured one seat in the Lok
Sabha.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):
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 2019, it polled about 3.63 per cent
votes and secured 10 seats in the Lok Sabha
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
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
drawing inspiration 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 303 members in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Currently leads the ruling
NDA government at the Centre.
Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M):
Founded i n 1 9 6 4 . B e l i e v e s in Marxism-Leninism. Supports s o c i a l i s
m , s e c u l a r i s m a n d democracy and opposes imperialism and
communalism. Accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for
securing the objective of socio-economic 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 2019
Lok Sabha elections, it won about 1.75 per cent of votes and 3 seats.
Indian National Congress (INC):
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. The
INC supports new economic reforms but with a human face. Leader of the
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2019. In the 2019
Lok Sabha election, it won 19.5% votes and 52 seats.
National People’s Party (NPP):
Formed in July 2013 under the leadership of P.A Sangma. NPP is the
first political party from North East India to have attained the status of a
national party. It believes in diversity of the country and recognizes that
different regions have different developmental challenges. The core philosophy
of the party is education and employment to all as well as empowerment of all
sections of the society. It formed government in Meghalaya and has presence in
many of North Eastern States. In the Lok Sabha election held in 2019, NPP
secured one seat in the Lok Sabha.
Q22.How have the alliance of national and regional parties contributed to
the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country?
In India no one political party is able to secure on its own a majority in
Lok Sabha. As a result the national parties are compelled to form alliance 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.
Q23. Explain the various challenges faced by political parties.
A.1. Lack of internal democracy:
a) Concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.
b) Parties do not keep membership registers.
c) They do not hold organisational meetings.
d) They do not conduct internal elections regularly.
e) Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information.
2. Dynastic succession:
a) Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for
their functioning.
b) In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one
family.
c) People who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to
occupy positions of power.
3. Money and muscle power:
a) Since parties are focussed only on winning elections, they tend to use short
cuts to win elections.
b) They tend to nominate those candidates who have or who can raise lots of
money.
c) Rich people and companies who give funds tend to have influence on the
parties.
d) In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections.
4. Meaningful choice:
a) Very often parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters.
b) In recent years, there has been a decline in the ideological differences among
the parties.
c) Those who want really different policies have no option available to them.
d) Sometimes people cannot even elect very different leaders because the same
set of leaders keep shifting from one party to the other.
Q24. Define ‘Defection’.
A. Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected to a
different party.
Q25. Write a note on some of the recent efforts to reform and strengthen
parties so that they perform their function well.
A. 1. Anti defection law: The constitution was amended to prevent elected
MLA’s and the MP’s from changing parties. Many leaders were indulging in
deflection 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
legislative.
2. An affidavit: 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.
3. Role of Election commission: The Election Commission passed an order
making it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections
and file their income tax returns.
Q26. Explain the suggestions often made to reform political parties.
A. 1. To regulate internal affairs of 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 form its own
constitution, to have an independent authority, to hold open elections to the
highest posts.
2. Status of women: It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a
minimum number of tickets, about 1/3to women candidates. There should be a
quota for women in the decision making process of the party.
3. Provision of state funding; there should be state funding of elections. The
government should give parties money to support their election expenses.
4. Proper revision of voters list: The voters list should be revised at regular
intervals. The names of the new eligible voters should be included in the list.
Q27. What are the other ways in which parties can be reformed?
A. 1. People can put pressure on parties. This can be done through petitions,
publicity, agitations. Ordinary citizens, pressure groups, movements and media,
can play an important role.
2. Parties can improve if the people who want to join these parties increase. The
quality of democracy depends on degree of public participation. It is difficult to
reform politics if ordinary citizens don’t take part & simply criticise it from
outside.
Q28. Distinguish between National and State (Regional) party.
A.
State party National party
1. A party that secures at least 6% of 1. A party that secures at least 6% of
the total votes in an election to the the total votes in the Lok Sabha
Legislative Assembly and wins at least elections or assembly elections in four
2 seats is recognised as state party. states and wins at least 4 seats in the
Lok Sabha is recognised as a National
party.
2. These parties function at state level. 2. These parties function throughout
India
3. These parties raise regional issues. 3. These parties raise national issues.
4. Ex: Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim 4. Ex: INC, BJP, BSP etc.
Democratic Front
