Political Parties

Introduction

Political parties are essential to modern democracies. They act as the link between the government and the people, contest elections, and formulate policies. This chapter covers the functions of political parties, the difference between national and state parties, and the challenges they face in India, with special focus on Andhra Pradesh.

1. What Is a Political Party?

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

Components of a Political Party

1. The leaders: The visible face of the party. They make decisions and represent the party.
2. The active members: Party workers who campaign, organise events, and mobilise support.
3. The followers: Supporter base of the party.

2. Functions of Political Parties

Political parties perform several crucial functions in a democracy:

1. Contest elections: Parties field candidates to contest elections at all levels.
2. Formulate policies and programmes: Parties develop a vision for society and present it to voters.
3. Make laws: In the legislature, parties debate and pass laws.
4. Form and run government: The party (or coalition) with a majority forms the government.
5. Role of opposition: Parties that lose elections act as a check on the ruling party, criticising its failures.
6. Shape public opinion: Parties raise and highlight issues through rallies, media, and campaigns.
7. Access to welfare schemes: Parties often provide access to government schemes for people, especially at the grassroots level.

Exam Tip: The functions of political parties is a common 3-mark or 5-mark question. Always list 5-6 functions with examples.

3. National vs State Parties

The Election Commission of India (ECI) classifies parties as national or state (regional) based on their performance in elections.

Criteria for National Party Status

A party is recognised as a national party if it satisfies any one of the following:

• Wins at least 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha (11 seats) from at least 3 different states.
• Polls at least 6% of votes in four or more states in a Lok Sabha or Assembly election, plus wins 4 Lok Sabha seats.
• Is recognised as a state party in at least 4 states.

Criteria for State Party Status

A party is recognised as a state party if it:

• Wins at least 3% of seats (minimum 3 seats) in the state assembly.
• Polls at least 6% of votes in the state in a Lok Sabha or Assembly election.
• Wins at least 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats from the state.

Key Difference

Common mistake: Students confuse 'state party' with 'party in power in a state'. A state party can be in power or not — it simply meets the ECI criteria for recognition in that state.

4. Major National Parties in India

Indian National Congress (INC)

• Founded: 1885 (by A.O. Hume).
• Symbol: Hand.
• Ideology: Centre-left, secular, social democratic.
• Current status: Main opposition at the national level.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

• Founded: 1980 (from Bharatiya Jana Sangh, 1951).
• Symbol: Lotus.
• Ideology: Right-wing, Hindutva, cultural nationalism.
• Current status: Leading ruling party at the national level.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)

• Founded: 1964 (split from CPI).
• Symbol: Hammer, Sickle, and Star.
• Ideology: Marxist, left-wing.
• Strongest in: Kerala, West Bengal, Tripura.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

• Founded: 1984 by Kanshi Ram. Led by Mayawati.
• Symbol: Elephant.
• Ideology: Social justice and empowerment of Dalits, OBCs, and minorities.
• Strongest in: Uttar Pradesh.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

• Founded: 1999 by Sharad Pawar, P.A. Sangma, and others (split from INC).
• Symbol: Clock.
• Ideology: Centre-left, secular.
• Strongest in: Maharashtra.

5. State Parties in Andhra Pradesh

Telugu Desam Party (TDP)

• Founded: 1982 by Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR).
• Symbol: Bicycle.
• Ideology: Regional interests of Telugu people, welfare-oriented, centre-right.
• Key achievements: Laid foundation for IT sector in Hyderabad. Implemented welfare schemes.
• Current: A major opposition party in AP. Alliance with BJP and Janasena.

AP Specific: TDP is associated with the Kamma community historically, though it claims to represent all Telugu people.

Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP)

• Founded: 2011 by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
• Symbol: Fan.
• Ideology: Welfare-oriented, pro-poor.
• Key schemes: Amma Vodi (fee reimbursement for mothers), Rythu Bharosa (farmer support), village clinics.
• Current: Ruling party in AP (since 2019).

Janasena Party

• Founded: 2014 by actor-politician Pawan Kalyan.
• Symbol: Glass Tumbler.
• Ideology: Centrist, anti-corruption, pro-youth.
• Current: Part of the TDP-BJP-Janasena alliance (2024).

6. Challenges to Political Parties

Political parties face several serious challenges:

1. Lack of internal democracy: Parties do not hold regular internal elections. Leaders often have lifetime control.
2. Dynastic succession: Power passes within families — Gandhi family (INC), Abdullahs (J&K NC), Badals (Shiromani Akali Dal), and even in AP (Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy).
3. Money power: Elections require huge sums of money. This leads to corruption and influence of big businesses.
4. Criminalisation: Many candidates face criminal charges. Between 2020 and 2024, about 43% of MPs in the Lok Sabha had criminal cases against them.
5. No meaningful choice: Sometimes all parties offer similar policies, leaving voters with no real choice.
6. Caste and communal politics: Parties often exploit caste and religious divisions for electoral gains.

Exam Tip: Challenges to political parties is a common 5-mark question and also appears in essay-type answers.

7. Reforms in Political Parties

Several reforms have been suggested and implemented:

Legal Reforms

• Anti-defection law (1985): An elected member cannot switch parties without losing their seat. This reduced party-hopping.
• Affidavit requirement (2003): Candidates must declare their criminal record, assets, and educational qualifications.
• Right to Information (2005): Citizens can ask questions about party functioning (though parties are not fully under RTI).
• Model Code of Conduct: Set of guidelines for parties during elections.

Suggested Reforms

• State funding of elections: To reduce the influence of black money and big donors.
• Internal democracy: Mandate regular internal elections in parties.
• Women's representation: 33% reservation for women within party structures.
• Online voting and intra-party e-voting: To make internal elections easier.

AP Board Focus: Reforms, especially the Anti-defection Law and affidavit requirements, are frequently asked in 2-mark and 3-mark questions.

8. Summary of Key Dates

9. Quick Self-Test (with Answers)

Q1: What are the three components of a political party? A1: The leaders, the active members, and the followers.

Q2: Name the national parties currently recognised in India. A2: INC, BJP, CPI-M, BSP, NCP (and others depending on current ECI recognition).

Q3: What is the symbol of TDP? A3: Bicycle.

Q4: What is the symbol of YSRCP? A4: Fan.

Q5: What is the Anti-defection Law (1985)? A5: A law that prevents elected members from switching parties without losing their seat.

Q6: Name one challenge faced by political parties. A6: Lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money power, or criminalisation.

Q7: What information must candidates disclose in their election affidavits? A7: Criminal record, assets and liabilities, and educational qualifications.

Q8: Who founded the Telugu Desam Party? A8: Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) in 1982.

Q9: What is the difference between a national party and a state party? A9: A national party has influence across multiple states and meets ECI criteria for national recognition, while a state party's influence is limited to one or a few states.

Q10: What is the Model Code of Conduct? A10: A set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission that political parties must follow during elections.

10. AP Board Exam Focus