DP (X)-LESSON-6 POLITICAL PARTIES (LESSON NOTES)

     

DP (X)-LESSON-6

POLITICAL PARTIES

(LESSON NOTES)

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v INTRODUCTION

  Ø As you know that in a democracy election are held in a regular interval. In election candidate contest the election through political parties or independent. After election political parties form the government and make rules and regulation for the country. So political parties played very important role In a democracy.

  Ø In this lesson we will about political parties, its function, party system, types of parties, its components, challenge and their reforms.

v POLITICAL PARTY

  Ø A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is known as political party. They agree on some policies and programmes for the society.

v COMPONENTS OF A POLITICAL PARTY

  Ø The leaders

  Ø Active members and

  Ø The followers

v  FUNCTIONS OF POLITAL PARTIES

  Ø Contesting Elections. The main function of Political parties is contest elections. In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties. Parties select their candidates in different ways. In some countries, such as the USA, members and supporters of a party choose its candidates.

  Ø Put forward different policies and programmes- The political parties put forward their policies and programmes to the voters. So that voters can give them votes. Each of us may have different opinions and views on what policies are suitable for the society.

  Ø Role as ruling party

§  The political party or coalition which gets highest number of seats or majority is called as ruling party.

§  Ruling party form and run the government. All decision taken up by legislature will implemented by ruling party.

§  It play a decisive role in making laws for the country.

  Ø Role as opposition party

§  A party which does not get majority or come under the majority coalition, is referred as opposition party.

§  Opposition parties mobilize opposition to the government.

§  It puts forward its own views in Parliament and criticizes the government for its failures.

§  By doing this, it keeps a check on the ruling party.

  Ø Shaping Public Opinion-Political parties shape public opinion. They do so by raising and highlighting issues in the legislature and in the media.

  Ø Providing Access to Government Machinery-Political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.

v NEED OF POLITICAL PARTIES

  Ø We need political parties for its above functions. As in a democracy these functions are completed by political parties.

  Ø An individual may accountable to their constituency but for the entire country we need a group who agree on same policies and programmes.

  Ø Without political party the government may be formed, but its utility will remain ever uncertain.

  Ø Today societies became large and complex so they need some agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government, therefore we need political parties.

v PARTY SYSTEM

  Ø Party system refers the number of political parties played important role in the election. There are three kinds of party systems as given below:

§  One-party system. In some countries only one party is allowed to control and run the government. For example, in China only the Communist Party is allowed to rule.

§  Two-party system. In this system, several parties may exist, contest the elections and win a few seats in the national legislatures. But only two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority of seats to form government. For example, The USA and the UK.

§  Multi-party system. In this system, the government is formed by various parties coming together in a coalition. When several parties join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front.

¨    National Democratic Alliance (NDA)

¨    United Progressive Alliance (UPA)

¨    Left Front.

v WHICH PARTY SYSTEM IS BEST

Ø    All party systems have their own merits and demerits.  Let’s see

ONE PARTY SYSTEM
MERITS	DEMERITS
There is stability in the government.	It is not a democratic option
Government can make long term plan	It does not provide fair chance to all people to participate.

 

TWO PARTY SYSTEM
MERITS	DEMERITS
There is stability in the government.	It is not a democratic option
Government can make long term plan as power change among two’s	Not good for complex or diverse societies

 

MULTI PARTY SYSTEM
MERITS	DEMERITS
It shows completely democratic way.	The multiparty system often appears very messy.
This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.	It leads to political instability

 

Ø As we have seen that there are some merits and demerits of each party system. one party system may good for one country but may not good for other country. Party system is not something that any country can choose. The party system is depend on different factors as-

§  It depending on the nature of society.

§  Its social and regional divisions.

§  Its history of politics and its system of elections.

§  These cannot be changed very quickly. Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special circumstances.

v POLITICAL PARTIES IN INDIA

  Ø In India there are so many political parties. These are registered by Election Commission of India. According to their votes the political parties are two types –

  Ø NATIONAL POLTICAL PARTIES-ELEGIBLITY 

  Ø A political party is recognised as a ‘National party’ if -

§  It secures at least 6 per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly Elections in four States and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha, OR

§  It recognized as state party in four states OR

§  It win 2% seats of loksabha in three different states.

  Ø REGIONAL POLITICAL PARTY

§  A party, that secures at least 6 per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats, is recognized as a ‘State party’.

§  Some regional or state parties are these- Samjawadi Party (UP) Akali Dal (Punjab); DMK (Tamil Nadu); RJD (Rashtriya Janta Dal) (Bihar); Shiv Sena (Maharashtra) Aam Adami Party (Delhi), Biju Janata Dal (Odisha) Sikkim Democratic Front (Sikkim) Mizo National Front (mIzoram) Telangana Rashtra Samithi (Telangana) YSR congres (Andhra Pradesh)

  Ø Importance of Regional parties

§  After 1990s the importance of regional parties increased. It made the Parliament of India politically more and more diverse

§  Now national parties are compelled to form alliances with state parties.

§  This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.

 

v NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES IN INDIA

  Ø At present 2018 there are 7 political parties in India registered as National Political parties by ECI. These are –

  Ø All India Trinamool Congress (AITC):

§  It was launched on 1 January 1998 under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.

§  Recognised as a national party in 2016. The party’s symbol is flowers and grass.

§  Committed to secularism and federalism. It has been in power in West Bengal since 2011. Also has a presence in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.

§  In the General Elections held in 2019, it got 4.07 per cent votes and won 22 seats, making it the fourth largest party in the Lok Sabha.

  Ø Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):

§  It was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.

§  It 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.

§  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, Rajasthan.

§  In the Lok Sabha elections held in 2019, it polled about 3.63 per cent votes and secured 10 seats in the Lok Sabha.

  Ø Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):

§  It was 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.

§  Its support base increased substantially in the 1990s and came in 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.

  Ø Communist Party of India (CPI):

§  It was formed in 1925. Believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy.

§  It opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism.

§  Accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of promoting the interests of the working class, farmers and the poor.

§  Significant presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

§  Its support base had gradually declined over the years. It secured less than 1 per cent votes and 2 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

  Ø Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M):

§  It was founded in 1964.

§  It believes in Marxism Leninism. Supports socialism, secularism

§  and democracy and opposes imperialism and communalism.

§  Accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for securing the objective of socioeconomic 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.

  Ø Indian National Congress (INC):

§  It was founded in 1885 and has experienced many splits.

§  It 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. 2004 to 2014.

§  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.

§  In the 2019 Lok Sabha election it won 52 seats.

  Ø Nationalist Congress Party (NCP):

§  It was formed in 1999 following a split in the Congress party.

§  It espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and federalism. Wants that high offices in government be confined to natural born citizens of the country.

§  A major party in Maharashtra and has a significant presence in Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam.

§  A coalition partner in the state of Maharashtra in alliance with the Congress. Since 2004, a member of the United Progressive Alliance.

 

Sr no	Party Name	Founded	Founder/Leader	Symbol & Ideology	Present situation
1	All India Trinamool Congress (AITC	1998	Mamta Banerjee	Flower and grass Left wing Populism	Government in West Bengal, 22 seats in 2019 election
2	Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):	1980	Kanshi Ram Mayavati	Elephant Social justice, Secure power for the Bahujan samaj	Earlier Formed government in UP.  Secured 10 seats in the Lok Sabha 2019 election.
3	Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):	1951 as Bhartiy Jan sangh	Shayam Prasad Mukhregee, Atal Bihari Bajpayee, Narendr Modi	Lotus National conservatism, Religious majoritarianism Hindutav	Presently formed government in many states. In 2019 secure 303 seats and formed government.
4	Communist Party of India (CPI):	1925	MN Roy, D Raja	Sickle and Ear Communism Social welfare Labour right	Gradually declined over the years. It secured less than 1% votes and 2 seats in 2019 election.
5	Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M):	1964 from NCP	Jyoti Basu, A K Gopalan	Hammer and sickle Communism Social welfare Labour right	Earlier 34 years ruled in west Bengal. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it won  3 seats.
6	Indian National Congress (INC):	1885	AO Hume, JL Nehru, Rajeev Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi	Hand Social welfare, secularism, inclusive development	Form governments in many states. Inn 2019 election secure 52 seats.
7	Nationalist Congress Party (NCP):	1999	Sharad Pawar	Watch secularism, equity, social justice and federalism	Presently coalition in Maharshtra government. In 2019 election

 

 

 

v CHALLENGES TO POLITICAL PARTIES

v LACK OF INTERNAL DEMOCRACY

  Ø It is the major problem in the political parties that they are very less democratic, thought mint for democracy.

  Ø They do not keep membership registers, do not hold organizational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly.

  Ø So ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party.

  Ø By this one or few leader at the top have power concentration in the party.

v DYNASTIC SUCCESSION:

  Ø In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of a particular family, which is unfair to other members of the party, and bad for democracy.

  Ø Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning.

  Ø So there are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.

  Ø Those who happen to be the leaders are in a position of unfair advantage as they favor people close to them or even their family members.

v ROLE OF MONEY AND MUSCLE POWER

  Ø Political party mainly focuses on to win only so they use short-cuts to win the elections.

  Ø They nominate candidates who have or can raise lot of money on election.

  Ø Parties also support criminals who can win elections.

  Ø Thus the role of rich people and big companies in the democratic process has been a cause of worry.

v LESS MEANINGFUL CHOICE

  Ø In order to offer meaningful choice, parties must be significantly different.

  Ø In recent years there has been a decline in the ideological differences among parties in most parts of the world.

  Ø In our country too, the differences among all the major parties on the economic policies have reduced.

  Ø In present time the leaders also keep changing their parties so people have less choice to elect.

 

v REFORM OF POLITICAL PARTIES

v  REFORMS WHICH HAVE IMPLEMENTED

  Ø To prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties after winning election (Defection) constitution is amended. Now he or she will lose the seat in the legislature if change the party.

  Ø To reduce the influence of money and criminals, supreme court passed a law that every candidate who wanted to contest election have to file an AFFIDAVIT giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.

  Ø The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organizational elections and file their income tax returns.

v OTHER REFORMS WHICH SHOULD BE

  Ø 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 hold open elections to the highest posts and  to follow its own constitution.

  Ø The political parties should come under RTI. They have to file return annually.

  Ø It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third, to women candidates.

  Ø Similarly, there should be a quota for women in the decision making bodies of the party.

  Ø There should be state funding of elections. The government should give parties money to support their election expenses. This support could be given in kind: petrol, paper, telephone etc.

  Ø Though political parties tries to find the way to cheat the law so it is the people who can force them to accept the changes by not giving votes, or by putting pressure on them by through petitions, publicity and agitations.

v TERMS-

  Ø PARTISANSHIP: A partisan is a person who is strongly committed to a party, group or faction. As parties (political) are about a part of the society, they involve ‘partisanship’.

  Ø DEFECTION: Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected (to a legislative body) to a different party is known as defection.

Ø AFFIDAVIT: A signed document submitted to an officer, where a person makes a sworn statement regarding her personal information.

  Ø Political parties of USA are democratic and republic party.

  Ø Political parties of Britain are Labour and Conservative Party party.