Rajasthan

Appearance

Political Parties ​

  • Definition: Voluntary associations sharing political views, aiming to gain power constitutionally, and promoting national interest.

  • Types of Political Parties in Democratic States:

    • Reactionary: Clinging to old institutions.
    • Conservative: Believing in the status quo.
    • Liberal: Reforming existing institutions.
    • Radical: Establishing a new order by overthrowing existing ones.

  • Ideological Classification:

    • Leftist: Radical parties (e.g., CPI, CPM in India).
    • Centrist: Liberal parties (e.g., Congress in India).
    • Rightist: Reactionary and conservative parties (e.g., BJP in India).

  • Party Systems Worldwide:

    • One-Party: Only one ruling party exists (e.g., former USSR).
    • Two-Party: Two major parties exist (e.g., USA, Britain).
    • Multi-Party: Numerous political parties exist (e.g., France, Switzerland, Italy).

  • Party System in India: Characteristic Features:

    • Multi-Party System: Due to the country's size, diversity, and universal adult franchise. India has the largest number of political parties in the world.

  • Categories of Parties in India: Left, centrist, right, communal, and non-communal.

  • One-Dominant Party System:

    • India was dominated by Congress for a long time. Rajni Kothari called it 'one party dominance system'.
    • The Congress dominance declined since 1967.

  • Lack of Clear Ideology:

    • Except BJP, CPI, and CPM, most parties lack clear ideology and are ideologically similar.
    • Most parties advocate democracy, secularism, socialism, and Gandhism.
    • Power capture is the main consideration.
    • Politics has become issue-based, with pragmatism replacing commitment to principles.

  • Personality Cult:

    • Parties are often organized around a leader who becomes more important than the party's ideology.
    • Parties are known by their leaders.

  • Traditional Factors:

    • Many Indian parties are formed based on religion, caste, language, culture, etc.
    • They promote communal and sectional interests.

  • Emergence of Regional Parties:

    • Regional parties are growing and playing a significant role.
    • They are ruling parties in states and are playing a role in national politics due to coalition governments.

  • Factions and Defections:

    • Factionalism, defections, splits, mergers, etc., are important aspects.
    • Lust for power leads to politicians leaving or starting parties.
    • Defections gained currency after the 1967 elections.

  • Lack of Effective Opposition:

    • An effective opposition is necessary for a successful parliamentary democracy.
    • The opposition parties have no unity and fail to play a constructive role.

  • Recognition of National and State Parties:

    • The Election Commission registers parties and grants recognition based on poll performance.
    • Other parties are 'registered-unrecognised parties'.

  • Privileges of Recognized Parties:

    • Allocation of party symbols.
    • Time for political broadcasts.
    • Access to electoral rolls.

  • Symbol Allocation:

    • National parties get symbols reserved nationwide.
    • State parties get symbols reserved in their respective states.
    • Unrecognised parties choose from a list of free symbols.

  • Conditions for Recognition as a National Party:

    • Secures 6% of valid votes in any four or more states in Lok Sabha or legislative assembly elections, AND wins four Lok Sabha seats from any state(s); OR
    • Wins 2% of Lok Sabha seats in a general election, AND these candidates are elected from three states; OR
    • Recognized as a state party in four states.

  • Conditions for Recognition as a State Party:

    • Secures 6% of valid votes in the state at a legislative assembly election AND wins 2 assembly seats; OR
    • Secures 6% of valid votes in the state at a Lok Sabha election AND wins 1 Lok Sabha seat; OR
    • Wins 3% of seats in the legislative assembly OR 3 seats, whichever is more; OR
    • Wins 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats allotted to the state.
    • Secures 8% of the total valid votes polled in the state at a General Election to the Lok Sabha or from the state or to the legislative assembly of the state.

  • National and State Parties: Also known as all-India and regional parties.

  • 1952 Elections: 14 national parties and 39 state parties existed.

  • 2019 Elections: 7 national parties and 52 state parties existed.