National Political Parties

Meaning and Role of Political Parties

Core Concept / Definition

A political party is an organised body of people who share certain common principles and goals regarding the political system of a country. Its main purpose is to acquire and retain political power. The party that runs the government is the ruling party; in a coalition government there may be more than one ruling party. Those who sit in opposition and criticise and analyse the performance of the ruling party or parties are called opposition parties.

Detailed Explanation and Key Principles

The chapter explains that political parties are required by representative governments and representative institutions. In a political system they act as carriers of ideas, opinions and approaches to social needs and national goals. They provide a link between citizens and government and between the electorate and representative institutions. The lesson also states that a successful democracy requires a healthy party-system because political parties are instruments through which citizens choose those who constitute the government.

Political parties also explain the merits and dangers of alternative policies and provide political education to citizens. A party must therefore be more than a loose group: it needs organisation, common policies and programmes, agreement with its ideology, a democratic route to power, clear leadership and attention to broad public issues.

Essential Features of a Political Party

Role in a Democratic System

Types of Party System

Core Concept

The chapter identifies one-party, two-party (bi-party) and multi-party systems. India is described as having a multi-party system, with several national and regional parties participating in politics.

Major Types

Conceptual Significance

The party system determines the pattern through which political competition is organised. The chapter uses these three broad forms to place India’s party-system in context and to prepare for the later distinction between national and regional parties.

Quick Classification Flow

Evolution of the Party System in India

Core Concept

The evolution of the Indian party system is traced from the formation of the Congress as a political platform in 1885, followed by the emergence of other parties and groups. After independence and the adoption of the democratic Constitution, the new party system emerged after the first general elections held on the basis of universal adult franchise in 1952.

Major Phases Mentioned in the Chapter

From Coalition Formation to the 2004 Phase

The Janata Party emerged through the merger of several opposition groups. In 1989, the National Front formed a government with the support of the BJP and Left Front. In 1996 the BJP emerged as the single largest party but could not prove its majority; the United Front, a combination of thirteen parties, then formed the government with outside support. The chapter records that the coalition government under the BJP after 1998 was defeated, while the 1999 elections enabled the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form a government that completed its full term. In the 14th general elections of 2004, Congress emerged as the single largest party, formed an alliance with like-minded parties and formed a coalition government.

Evolution Flow

National Parties and Regional Parties

National Parties

National parties are those which generally have influence all over the country. The chapter makes clear that a national party need not have equal strength in every State. It states that the Election Commission recognises a national party on the basis of a formula and, in the textbook’s stated rule, a party securing not less than four percent of total valid votes in the previous general elections in at least four States is given national-party status.

Regional Parties

Regional parties do not enjoy national influence; their activities and influence are restricted to particular States or regions. The chapter says that some are formed to voice the demands of a specific region and that they may be powerful in their respective regions rather than being weak or short-lived.

Exam Note on the Textbook List

The chapter specifically gives its list of national parties “in the year 2006.” That historical time reference is retained here so that the study page does not silently replace textbook content with later developments.

Major National Parties in India

1. Indian National Congress

The chapter states that the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 in Bombay and that W.C. Bonnarjee was its first President. Initially it was an organisation of middle-class intellectuals concerned mainly with political reforms under British colonial rule. Under Mahatma Gandhi in the twenties it became a mass-based organisation, attracted common people and played a significant role in the freedom struggle.

After independence Jawaharlal Nehru led the Congress until his death in 1964, a phase described as the “Nehru era.” The chapter records Congress victories in the 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967 and 1971 general elections, its defeat in 1977, return to power in 1980 under Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership in 1985, and later changes in its parliamentary strength. In 2004 it formed a coalition government after entering into alliance with other parties.

2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

The chapter states that the BJP was formed in 1980 and had extended its influence in the Hindi belt, Gujarat and Maharashtra, while trying to extend its base in South India from 1989. It records the party’s Lok Sabha seat totals as gradually increasing: 2 in 1984, 88 in 1989, 122 in 1991, 161 in 1996, 180 in 1998 and 182 in 1999. In the 2004 general elections, the BJP as part of the NDA did not obtain the required majority and was described by the chapter as playing the role of the opposition party.

3. The Communist Parties — CPI and CPI(M)

The chapter identifies the two communist parties as the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]. It states that the communist movement began in the early twenties and the Communist Party was founded in 1925. The chapter describes their emphasis on economic equality and on recognition and power for workers, peasants and other toiling people.

The CPI was the main opposition during the Nehru era and formed the first Communist government in India in Kerala in 1957. Following serious differences after the Chinese aggression of 1962, the Communist Party split and CPI(M) was formed in 1964. The chapter identifies West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura as major areas of CPI(M) support and lists several States with CPI influence. For the 2004 elections, both CPI and CPI(M) are described as alliance partners of Congress and outside supporters of the UPA government.

4. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

The BSP acquired national-party status in 1996. The chapter says it champions the cause of low castes, deprived groups and minorities and seeks to free these sections from exploitation by forming their own government. It identifies its influence mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab and notes that in 1995 and 1997 it was a partner in coalition governments in Uttar Pradesh.

Major-Party Snapshot