Political Parties
Class 10th
By Raj Kumar Arya
Lecturer In History
Govt. Model Senior Secondary School
Sector 20 Panchkula
Political Parties
You read Political parties in class 9th -there role in the-
• Rise of democracies, formation of constitutional designs, electoral politics,
making and working of governments.
• In 10th you have read political parties as vehicles of federal power sharing
and negotiators of social divisions in the arena of democratic politics.
Let us find the answers of some
common questions.
Most citizens
democracy means
Most people tend
political parties. They
to be critical about
would know something
political parties.
about political parties.
Blame parties for
They may not know any
all that is wrong
thing about
with democracy or
constitution or the
political life.
nature of our
government.
100 years ago there
were few countries
that had political
parties.
Now there are few
countries that do
not have political
parties.
Why political
parties have
become so
omnipresent?
Let us first answer
what political
parties are and
what they do?
Political Party
A group of
people who Agree on some
come together policies or
to contest programmes.
elections and Try to persuade
hold power in people in their
the favour.
government,
Components of a Party
The Leaders
The active members
The followers
Functions of Political parties
Contest elections
Put forward different policies and programmes
Make laws
Form and run govts
Role of opposition
Shape public opinion
Provide access to govt machinery and welfare schemes
Necessity of Political parties
We can understand the necessity of political parties by
imagining a situation without parties.
Elected representatives will be responsible for their
constituencies but not for the country.
As societies become large and complex they need some
agencies to gather different views on various issues and
present them to the government.
A mechanism is required to support or restrain the govt.
make policies, justify of oppose them.
Study the graphs
Study the graphs
How many parties should we
have?
In India any group of citizens can form a party.
More than 750 parties in India. Only a few are serious
for contesting elections.
One party system in China-not democratic as no
competition.
Two party system in UK and USA
Multi party/ Coalition
Multi party system in India.
When several parties join hands for contesting
elections, it is called an alliance or a front in 2004 NDA,
UPA and Left parties were in the fray.
A messy system. But variety of opinions and interests
enjoy representation in the govt.
Which system is better?-not a clear cut answer.
Party system is not something that any country can
choose. It evolves over a long time-depending on the
nature of society, history of politics and system of
elections.
In Indian complex sysetm one or two parties can not
easily absorb the interests of all.
Participation in political
parties
Over the last three decades-those who report to be the
members of political parties have increased-this number
is higher than advanced countries like Canada, Japan,
Spain and South Korea.
Those who feel close to a political party-increased.
National Political Parties
Parties present in one of the federal units.
Parties present in several or all federal units-follow
same plans and strategy decided at the national level.
Indian National Congress
INC- Founded in 1885, dominant role in Indian politics since 1947.
Remained in power till 1977
1980-1989, after 1989 support declined
UPA formation and remained in power 2004-2014
Defeated badly in 2014
BJP
Founded in 1980, reviving the Bhartiya Jana Sangh.
Cultural nationalism, territorial and political integration of J&K.
Uniform civil code for all in India.
Earlier was stronger in urban areas and north India but now strong in all
India.
Increased base after 1990 and came to power in 1998 and lost power in
2004.
BSP
Formed in 1984 by Kashi Ram. Wants power for Bahujan Samaj (Dalits ,
adivasis, OBCs and minorities)
Draws inspiration from BR Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj,
Periyar Ramaswami Naicker. Formed govt in UP several times. Shows its
presence in MP, UK, Delhi and Punjab etc. In 2004 elections secured 19
Loksabha Seats. In 2014 –no seat.
Communist Party of India-
Marxist (CPI-M)
Founded in 1964
Believes in Marxism and Leninism. Supports socialism, secularism and
democracy and opposed imperialism and communalism.
Has strong support in WB, Kerala and Tripura.
Remained in power for 30 years in WB, 2004-43 Loksabha seats.
Support in WB, Kerala and Punjab, Andhra and Tamilnadu. Declining party.
NCP
Formed in 1999 following a split in Congress Party.
Major party in Maharashtra, presence in Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam
support UPA.
CPI
Formed in 1925.
Believes in Marxism and Leninism. Supports socialism,
secularism and democracy and opposed imperialism and
communalism.
Became weak after split in party in1964.
State Parties
Samajwadi Party, INLD, HJC,RJD etc have their base in
the states and presence in other states also.
NDA and UPA formed govts with the help of these
regional parties.
An era of coalition saeem to be ended with the coming
of MODI –BJP.
Challenges to Political Parties
They are the most viable face of democracy.
Political parties are blamed for whatever is wrong with the working of
democracy.
1. Lack of internal democracy in parties.
Why don’t parties
Why don’t parties
give enough
give enough
tickets to
tickets to
women? Is that
women? Is that
also due to lack
also due to lack
of internal
of internal
democracy?
democracy?
1. Dynastic successions.
2. Role of money and muscle power.
3. Provide no meaningful choice to voters-same policies, same set of leaders keep
shifting from one party to another.
Defection: Changing
party allegiance from
the party on which a
person got elected (to a
legislative body) to a
different party.
Does this
suggest that in
democracies
people contest
elections only
to make money?
But isn’t it true
that there are
politicians
committed to
the well-being
of the people?
How can parties be reformed?
Are political parties willing to reform?
If they are not will, is it possible to force them to
reform?
People can change leaders-but others are also the same
who do not wish to reform?
Amendment-If an MLA, MP changes party he will have to
loose his seat.
Filing of affidavit regarding property and cases in the
court.
Holding of organisational elections and filing of income
tax returns
Suggestions to improve
Regulate internal affairs of the party. Maintain register
of members to follow its own constitution-independent
authority to act as a judge in case of party disputes.
1/3 seats to women candidates.
State funding of elections.
Pressure groups, movements to reform parties.
Participation of Public.
Thanks
