Political Parties

Political parties in India are organizations formed by individuals who share similar political beliefs and work toward gaining political power through democratic means. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for registering political parties and categorizing them as either national or state parties based on their electoral performance. Parties that do not meet these criteria are considered registered but unrecognized.

As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, political parties can achieve recognition as either a ‘State Party’ or a ‘National Party’ based on their success in elections over time.

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Types of Political Parties in India

Political parties are typically categorized based on their ideologies, which can include:

1. Reactionary Parties: These parties aim to preserve traditional social, economic, and political structures.
   
2. Conservative Parties: They support maintaining the existing system without substantial change.
   
3. Liberal Parties: These advocate for reforms and changes in the current institutions.
   
4. Radical Parties: These push for a complete overhaul of the system and establishment of a new order.
   

In India, examples include:

• Leftist parties like CPI and CPM
  
• Centrist parties like Congress
  
• Right-wing parties like the BJP
  

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Party Systems Around the World

There are three main types of political systems globally:

1. One-party system: Only one party holds power, with no opposition (e.g., Soviet Union).
   
2. Two-party system: Dominated by two major parties (e.g., the US with the Democrats and Republicans).
   
3. Multi-party system: Multiple parties compete, often leading to coalition governments (e.g., India, Switzerland, France).
   

India operates under a multi-party system, where coalitions are common as no single party typically wins an outright majority.

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Historical Background

From 1952 to 1964, the Congress Party dominated India’s political scene, creating what was known as the “Congress system.” However, after Jawaharlal Nehru’s death and the 1967 elections, the Congress Party’s hold weakened. The Janata Party formed in 1977 marked the beginning of a multi-party system, and coalition politics has been prevalent since 1989.

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Number of Political Parties in India

As of 2021, hundreds of political parties are registered in India, although only a few are active at the national or state level. There are currently seven recognized national parties and 49 recognized state parties, according to the Election Commission of India.

The seven national parties are:

1. Indian National Congress (INC)
   
2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
   
3. Communist Party of India (CPI)
   
4. Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM)
   
5. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
   
6. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
   
7. All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)
   

Numerous smaller parties also participate at various levels, some focusing on specific ideologies, regions, or communities.

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Eligibility for Political Party Status

• State Party: A party is recognized as a State Party if it:
  
  • Secures at least 6% of valid votes and wins at least 1 seat in the Legislative Assembly or 2 seats in the Lok Sabha.
    
  • Wins 8% of the votes in a state election.
    
  • Wins 3 legislative seats or 3% of the seats in the state’s assembly.
    
• As of now, 64 parties hold State Party status.
  
• National Party: A party can be recognized as a National Party if it:
  
  • Gains at least 6% of valid votes in elections across four or more states and secures at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.
    
  • Wins 8% of the votes in general elections in four or more states.
    
• There are currently 8 National Parties, with the latest addition being the National People’s Party (NPP) from the Northeast.
  

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Functions of Political Parties in India

Political parties in India fulfill various key roles, such as:

1. Nominating candidates for elections.
   
2. Campaigning to garner support for their candidates.
   
3. Presenting manifestos to inform voters about their policies.
   
4. Forming the government or the opposition based on electoral results.
   
5. Monitoring government performance, particularly by the opposition.
   
6. Shaping public opinion and educating citizens on political matters.
   
7. Communicating public demands to the government.
   

Political parties also allow citizens to express their views and participate in the democratic process.

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Conclusion

Political parties are fundamental to India’s democratic structure. Despite some challenges, including issues of transparency and internal democracy, they remain crucial in shaping the nation’s political landscape. The multi-party system ensures that no single party dominates, leading to coalition governments and a diverse political discourse in the country.