Political parties are organized groups sharing political views aiming to gain power constitutionally and promote national interest. Learn about types and ideological classification in India with examples such as CPI, CPM, Congress, and BJP. Important for UPSC and competitive exams.

Political parties in India and the world are voluntary associations formed by individuals sharing common political views, seeking power through constitutional means, and aiming to serve the national interest. Understanding their classification, systems, and characteristics is essential for students of political science and Indian polity.

Comprehensive Guide to Political Parties in India and the World

• Political parties are organized groups sharing common goals to influence governance.
  • (i) Reactionary parties: Preserve existing socio-economic and political institutions.
  • (ii) Conservative parties: Support the status quo and traditional frameworks.
  • (iii) Liberal parties: Aim to reform and modernize existing institutions.
  • (iv) Radical parties: Seek to establish new political and social orders.

• Ideological Classification of Political Parties

  • Left, Centre, and Right Spectrum

    • Leftist parties include CPI and CPM.
    • Centrist parties include Congress.
    • Rightist parties include BJP.

• Global Party Systems Overview

  • (i) One-party system: Single ruling party, no opposition; e.g., USSR and East European countries.
  • (ii) Two-party system: Two dominant parties; e.g., USA and Britain.
  • (iii) Multi-party system: Multiple parties, often forming coalition governments; e.g., France, Switzerland, Italy.

• Party System in India: Key Characteristics

  • Multi-Party System in India

    • India has one of the largest number of political parties worldwide.
    • By 2014, India had 6 national parties, 47 state parties, and 1,593 registered but unrecognized parties.
    • India includes left, centrist, right, communal, and non-communal parties.
    • Hung Parliaments, coalition governments, and hung assemblies are common outcomes.

  • One-Dominant Party System

    • The Congress dominated Indian politics for decades.
    • Rajni Kothari termed this the ‘one party dominance system’ or ‘Congress system’.
    • Since 1967, regional and national parties like Janata (1977), Janata Dal (1989), and BJP (1991) strengthened multi-party competition.

  • Lack of Clear Ideology

    • Except for BJP, CPI, and CPM, most parties lack a distinct ideology.
    • Parties often share similar policies and promote democracy, secularism, socialism, and Gandhism.
    • Power capture overrides ideological commitments, making politics more issue-based than principle-based.

  • Personality Cult in Parties

    • Many parties revolve around charismatic leaders rather than manifestos.
    • Examples: Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi (Congress), MG Ramachandran (AIADMK), NT Rama Rao (TDP).
    • Some parties are even named after their leaders: Biju Janata Dal, Lok Dal (A), Congress (I).
    • Indian politics often highlights personalities over political ideology.

  • Traditional Factors in Party Formation

    • Indian parties often form based on religion, caste, language, or culture.
    • Examples: Shiv Sena, Muslim League, Hindu Maha Sabha, Akali Dal, Bahujan Samaj Party.
    • Such parties focus on sectional interests, sometimes undermining broader public welfare.

  • Emergence of Regional Parties

    • Regional parties play major roles in state politics: BJD (Orissa), DMK/AIADMK (Tamil Nadu), Akali Dal (Punjab), AGP (Assam), National Conference (J&K), JD(U) (Bihar).
    • Coalition politics at the Centre increased their national influence.
    • Example: TDP became the largest opposition party in 1984 Lok Sabha elections.

  • Factions and Defections

    • Political fragmentation includes splits, mergers, defections, and polarization.
    • Defections became prominent after the 1967 general elections.
    • Examples of multiple factions: Two Janata Dals, Two TDPs, Two DMKs, Two Communist Parties, Two Congress factions, Three Akali Dals, Three Muslim Leagues.
    • Such instability affects both state and central governance.

  • Lack of Effective Opposition

    • A strong opposition is vital for democratic checks and governance alternatives.
    • Over the last 50 years, a consistent, unified national opposition has rarely emerged.
    • Opposition parties often take conflicting positions and fail to contribute constructively to nation-building.

The Election Commission of India is responsible for registering political parties, granting recognition as national or state parties based on election performance, and ensuring they receive appropriate privileges. Understanding these recognition criteria and related privileges is essential for students of Indian polity and electoral studies.

Election Commission Recognition of Political Parties in India

• The Election Commission categorizes political parties to facilitate elections and determine privileges.
  • National parties: Recognized across the country based on election performance.
  • State parties: Recognized in specific states based on electoral results.
  • Registered-unrecognised parties: Simply registered without recognition at national or state level.

• Privileges Granted to Recognized Parties

  • Allocation of exclusive party symbols.
  • Provision of airtime on state-owned television and radio for political broadcasts.
  • Access to electoral rolls for campaign purposes.
  • Only one proposer needed for filing nominations.
  • Number of star campaigners allowed:
    • (i) Recognized parties: 40 star campaigners.
    • (ii) Registered-unrecognized parties: 20 star campaigners.
  • Travel expenses of star campaigners do not count towards candidates’ election expenditure.

• Party Symbol Allocation Rules

  • Every national party is allotted a symbol reserved for nationwide use.
  • State parties receive symbols reserved for their respective state(s).
  • Registered-unrecognized parties choose symbols from a list of free symbols.
  • Reserved symbols are exclusively for candidates of recognized parties, while free symbols are for other candidates.

• Conditions for Recognition as a National Party

  • As of 2016, a party qualifies as a national party if it fulfills any of the following:
    • (i) Secures 6% of valid votes in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or state assemblies; and wins 4 Lok Sabha seats.
    • (ii) Wins 2% of Lok Sabha seats at a general election, with candidates elected from at least three states.
    • (iii) Recognized as a state party in at least four states.

• Conditions for Recognition as a State Party

  • As of 2016, a party qualifies as a state party if any of the following are met:
    • (i) Secures 6% of valid votes in the state at a legislative assembly election and wins 2 assembly seats.
    • (ii) Secures 6% of valid votes in the state at a Lok Sabha election and wins 1 Lok Sabha seat.
    • (iii) Wins 3% of assembly seats or at least 3 seats, whichever is more.
    • (iv) Wins 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats (or fraction) allotted to the state.
    • (v) Secures 8% of total valid votes in the state at a Lok Sabha or assembly election (added in 2011).

• Current Status of Recognized Parties in India

  • The number of recognized parties changes with general election results.
  • On the eve of the 16th Lok Sabha elections (2014):
    • (i) National parties: 6
    • (ii) State parties: 47
    • (iii) Registered-unrecognized parties: 1,593
  • National parties are also referred to as all-India parties, while state parties are called regional parties.