Political Parties and their Functions
In school there are sports teams, reading clubs and cleanliness groups, but only a group contesting elections is a political party. Because its goal is to get power.
When people come together to acquire political power and participate in the electoral process, such organisations are called political parties. Their goal is to contest elections, win, get power and form their party’s government.
Key idea 1 : Political parties and other organisations — A political party is also a kind of social organisation, but its aim and style of work differ from other organisations. Social organisations take initiative to solve problems; parties try to gain power through elections. Political parties exist in all democratic systems and competition between parties is seen only in democracy. Parties are a link connecting common people, democracy, representation and elections.
Key idea 2 : Characteristics of parties — (1) To be in power: achieving power through elections is the main objective; competition is not wrong but should be fair. (2) Ideology: every party has some policies and worldview; those who find them acceptable support the party; social support received by a party is its ‘mass base’. Nowadays ideologies of parties appear similar so it is hard to differentiate. (3) Party agenda: preparing an agenda based on ideology; implementing it after getting power, and even otherwise seeking people’s support on it.
Key idea 3 : Forming government and being a link — (4) Forming government: the party that wins majority in elections forms the government; parties without majority act as opposition. (5) Link between government and people: parties convey people’s demands and complaints to the government; the government seeks people’s support for its policies and programmes through parties. The role of the opposition is to point out the government’s errors, raise issues and give an alternative programme.
- Easy : An organisation not aiming for power — why not a party? — It does not contest elections.
- Medium : What role does a party without majority take? — Opposition.
- Exam-type : Social support received by a party? — Mass base.
In the figure: Main characteristics of political parties.
Po-Id-Ag-Go-Li.
Not all organisations are parties; organisations aiming to contest and gain power are parties.
Memory clue: Party = power + ideas + agenda + government + link. Memory clue: "Power-Ideas-Agenda-Government-Link".
Spot the difference
| Point | Social organisation | Political party |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | Solve problems | Gain power |
| Election | Does not contest | Contests |
| Work | Awareness, help | Government or opposition role |
Practice questions
- 1What is a political party?
- 2State the difference between a political party and a social organisation.
- 3Write the characteristics of a party.
- 4What is mass base?
- 5How is a party a link between government and people?
- 6Write the role of the opposition.
- 7What difficulty arises when ideologies look similar?
- 8Compare a group in your school with a political party.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1An organisation contesting elections to gain power.
- 2Social organisation solves problems; party contests elections to gain power.
- 3Power, ideology, agenda, forming government, link.
- 4Social support received by a party.
- 5Conveys demands and complaints; gets support for policies.
- 6Question government, point out errors and offer alternatives.
- 7It becomes difficult to differentiate between parties.
- 8Student compares aim, election and working style.
Changing Party System in India
If one group wins year after year in school, others get no chance. When many groups enter the contest the game changes.
The system in which one, two or many parties compete for power is called a party system: one-party, two-party and multi-party.
Key idea 1 : Kinds of party systems — If power remains with one party for a long period and no other parties are influential it is a one-party system. If two parties are influential and enjoy power alternately it is a two-party system. When many parties compete for power and are more or less equally influential it is a multi-party system. India has a multi-party system.
Key idea 2 : Changing nature of party system in India — (1) In the post-independence period the Congress was a strong party; it had majority at the Centre and in most states; this era is called the ‘single dominant party system’. (2) In 1977 non-Congress parties came together and challenged this system. (3) After the 1989 Lok Sabha elections the system of one party being dominant ended; since then different parties began to come together to form coalition governments. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress made an experiment of coalition governments. The belief that coalition government brings instability was proved wrong by India’s experience; the coalition system has stabilised.
Key idea 3 : Partyless democracy — Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave and Jayprakash Narayan put forth the idea of partyless democracy. Students should think how it could be possible in modern times. As examples of coalitions find the member parties of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
- Easy : Only two influential parties alternate in power — which system? — Two-party.
- Medium : Many parties together forming government — what is it called? — Coalition government.
- Exam-type : What changed after 1989? — The dominant single-party system ended.
In the figure: Phases of the party system in India.
One-77-89.
Coalition government is not always unstable; in India’s experience the coalition system stabilised.
Memory clue: One → challenge → many. Memory clue: "One rules, challenge, then coalition".
Spot the difference
| System | Nature | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One-party | One influential party | Single dominant era |
| Two-party | Two parties by turns | In some countries |
| Multi-party | Many influential parties | India |
Practice questions
- 1Explain three kinds of party systems.
- 2Which party system does India have?
- 3What is the single dominant party system?
- 4What happened in 1977?
- 5What change happened after 1989?
- 6Is a coalition government unstable? Explain.
- 7What is partyless democracy?
- 8List the member parties of NDA and UPA.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1One-party, two-party and multi-party.
- 2Multi-party.
- 3One party having majority at Centre and most states for long.
- 4Non-Congress parties came together and challenged the system.
- 5One party’s dominance ended and coalitions began.
- 6No; the coalition system stabilised in India.
- 7Gandhi, Vinoba and Jayprakash’s idea of democracy without parties.
- 8Student finds information and lists.
National Parties
A school scholarship exam may be only for the state and a national exam all over the country. Likewise some parties’ influence is limited to one region and some across the country.
A party fulfilling conditions laid down by the Election Commission gets recognition as a national party. Parties not fulfilling them but influential in a state get recognition as a regional (state) party.
Key idea 1 : Conditions of recognition — For a national party (as per the textbook, 2016 notification): (a) minimum 6% of valid votes in four or more states in earlier Lok Sabha or assembly elections and minimum 4 members in Lok Sabha; or (b) candidates elected from minimum 2% of total Lok Sabha constituencies and from minimum 3 states. For a regional party: (a) 6% valid votes and minimum 2 members in the assembly; or (b) minimum 3% of total assembly seats or minimum 3 seats. The Commission can change the status based on election performance.
Key idea 2 : Some national parties (as per textbook) — Indian National Congress (1885): began as a comprehensive movement for national independence; its declared policies are secularism, all-round development, equal rights and welfare of minorities and weaker sections; it states belief in democratic socialism. Communist Party of India (1925): communist ideology; welfare of labourers and workers; opposes capitalism; due to differences in the 1960s the Communist Party of India (Marxist) separated in 1964; it professes socialism, secularism and democracy and states a policy of protecting the interests of workers, farmers and landless labourers. Bharatiya Janata Party: Bharatiya Jan Sangh was established in 1951; merged into the Janata Party of 1977; the Janata Party did not survive and the Jan Sangh component established the BJP in 1980; the party says it stands for protection of Indian culture and traditions and gives importance to economic reforms.
Key idea 3 : A few more parties — Bahujan Samaj Party (1984): established for protecting interests of the ‘majority’ (Bahujan); Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, religious minorities and other backward classes together form the majority; aim of giving power to the majority. Nationalist Congress Party (1999): established from a split in the Congress; states belief in democracy, equality and secularism; in power in Maharashtra from 1999 to 2014 in coalition with the Congress. Trinamool Congress (1998): states support for democracy, secularism and protection of interests of weaker sections. The textbook gives seat numbers for 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections; parties’ seats change with each election.
- Easy : 6% votes in four states and 4 Lok Sabha seats — for which status? — National party.
- Medium : Which party separated in 1964? — CPI(M).
- Exam-type : Which party did the Jan Sangh component establish? — BJP, 1980.
In the figure: Founding years of some national parties.
The textbook list is of 2016. On 10 April 2023 the Election Commission recognised the Aam Aadmi Party as a national party and withdrew national recognition of the Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Communist Party of India; after that there are six national parties: BJP, Congress, CPI(M), BSP, National People’s Party and AAP. (As per several sources; check with the book; status can change, see the Election Commission website for latest)
Founding dates (as per Election Commission-based sources): Congress 28 December 1885 (first session in Bombay); CPI 26 December 1925 (some sources 25 December); CPI(M) 7 November 1964; BJP 6 April 1980; BSP 14 April 1984. (The book gives only the year; check with the book)
85-25-64-80.
National status is not permanent; the Commission gives or withdraws it based on election results.
Memory clue: National = 6% in 4 states + 4 seats, or 2% seats from 3 states. Memory clue: "4-6-4, 2-3".
Spot the difference
| Condition | National party | Regional party |
|---|---|---|
| Votes | 6% in 4+ states | 6% (in that state) |
| Seats | 4 in Lok Sabha, or 2% seats from 3 states | 2 in assembly, or 3% / 3 seats |
| Influence | Across country | In one state |
Practice questions
- 1Write conditions for recognition as a national party.
- 2State the difference between national and regional party.
- 3What happened in the Communist Party of India in 1964?
- 4How was the BJP established?
- 5What is the aim of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
- 6Who gives national party status and can it be withdrawn?
- 7Prepare a chart of election symbols.
- 8Compare declared policies of two national parties.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 16% votes in 4 states and 4 seats, or 2% constituencies from 3 states.
- 2National = influence across country; regional = in one state.
- 3CPI(M) separated due to differences.
- 4Jan Sangh into Janata Party 1977, then BJP in 1980.
- 5Giving power to the majority sections.
- 6Election Commission; yes, it can withdraw based on results.
- 7Picture of party, symbol and colours.
- 8Student states policies declared by the parties neutrally.
Regional Parties
Our village’s language, festivals and food are different and we feel proud. When this pride gets linked to politics regional parties are formed.
Regional parties are groups proud of their region’s separate identity and competing for political power with the objective of regional development. Their influence is limited to a region but they influence national politics too.
Key idea 1 : How regionalism arises — In India there are different languages, traditions and cultures. Affinity to our language and region gradually turns into identity consciousness and finally regionalism. People feel proud of their language, literature, traditions, history of social reforms and educational-cultural movements and this gives rise to linguistic identity. When linguistic, regional and cultural identities get connected, regional consciousness becomes stronger; sometimes it gives rise to independent political parties, pressure groups or movements.
Key idea 2 : Changing nature of regional parties — (1) Initially regional identities gave rise to separatist movements; demands for independent Khalistan and Dravidistan were made by parties from Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir. (2) In the second stage after 1990 instead of independent state they demanded more autonomy. (3) Demand that for development of region the people of the region should get power at state and national level: for example Shiv Sena, Telugu Desam. (4) Parties of the North East gave up separatism and started demanding autonomy and are entering the mainstream of national politics. In short: from separatism to autonomy and now entry into the mainstream; coalition politics is one consequence of their growing influence.
Key idea 3 : Some regional parties — As per the textbook: Shiv Sena (1966, Maharashtra) states aim of protecting rights of Marathi people and promoting Marathi language; Shiromani Akali Dal (1920, Punjab) cultivates religious and regional identity; Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (1932) states aim of protecting interests of Kashmiri people and autonomous status; Assam Gana Parishad states aim of protecting Assam’s cultural, linguistic and social identity and economic development after the Assam Accord of 1985; Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam came out of the non-Brahmin movement of the Justice Party, protects Tamil identity and was for some years in the coalition government at the Centre. The status and alliances of parties keep changing, so check the latest information.
- Easy : Pride of language and culture in politics — what is it called? — Regionalism.
- Medium : Demand of regional parties after 1990? — More autonomy.
- Exam-type : What increased coalition politics? — Growing influence of regional parties.
In the figure: Changing phases of regional parties.
What happened before the founding of the Telugu Desam Party? In February 1982 Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister T. Anjaiah was rebuked in public by Rajiv Gandhi at Hyderabad airport. Many Telugu people felt their self-respect was hurt.
What happened after the founding of the Telugu Desam Party? Film star N. T. Rama Rao founded the party on 29 March 1982. Within nine months it won the January 1983 election, and he became Chief Minister on 9 January 1983, ending Congress rule in the state.
Separatist-Autonomy-Share-Mainstream.
Not all regional parties are separatist; most asked for autonomy and share in power.
Memory clue: Regional party = regional identity + demand for development. Memory clue: "Language, culture, power".
Spot the difference
| Phase | Demand | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | Independent state | Khalistan, Dravidistan demands |
| After 1990 | More autonomy | Parties in many states |
| Present trend | Share in power, mainstream | North East parties |
Practice questions
- 1How does regionalism arise?
- 2What is a regional party?
- 3What demands do regional parties make?
- 4Explain the changing nature of regional parties.
- 5What is the relation of coalition politics with regional parties?
- 6Write information on a regional party of Maharashtra.
- 7How did the trend of North East parties change?
- 8Find on a map and write regional parties of your state.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1From affinity for language, traditions and culture.
- 2A party proud of regional identity and seeking power for development.
- 3Problems solved locally, power and jobs for locals.
- 4Separatism → autonomy → mainstream.
- 5Growing regional influence led to coalition governments.
- 6The book gives Shiv Sena; student writes founding, aim and work.
- 7Gave up separatism and started demanding autonomy.
- 8Student writes names with the help of a map.