DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

Secunderabad
NACHARAM | MAHENDRA HILLS | NADERGUL
SUBJECT: SOCIAL SCIENCE POLITICAL PARTIES CLASS: X

Important terms to remember

1. Partisan: A person who is strongly committed to a party. Partisan means support for the party or its
ideas. It is a tendency to support the ideas of a particular party only.
2. Ruling party: The party that wins elections and forms the government is called the political party.
3. Opposition party: The party that loses the elections and dose not form the government is called the
opposition party.
4. Political party : It is a group of people who aim to control the government and carry out their policies.
They agree on some policies and programmes for the society. They convince the people that their
policies are better than the others. They work for the collective interest of the society and not for the
particular section of the society.
5. National party : A political party that wins at least 6 % of the votes in the lok Sabha elections or
assembly elections in 4 states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognized as a national
party.
6. State party: A political party that secures at least 6 % of the votes in an election to the legislative
assembly of a state and wins at least 2 seats is recognized as a state party.
7. Defection: Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected to a different party.
8. Affidavit: A signed document submitted to an officer, where a person makes a sworn statement
regarding her personal information.
9. Recognised political parties: The election commission offers some special facilities to large and
extablished political parties. These parties are given a unique symbol-only the official candidates of that
party can use that symbol. Since it is recogni8sed by the election commission it is called “Recognised
Political parties”.
10. Multi-party system : In India we have multi party system. The government is formed by various parties
coming together in a coalition. When several parties in a multi party system join hands for the purpose
of contesting and winning elections it is called an alliance or front. For example: United Progressive
Alliance, Left front.
Question and Answers
1. Why do we need political parties?
Answer : Political parties are needed in a democracy because:
 Political parties make their own policies and programmes for the society.
 They discuss various issues of the country and the policies that they would take once elected.
 They keep the people informed about the political activities.
 They analyze the working of the government, failure of the ruling party and give suggestions for the
upliftment of the masses.
 Political parties act as a link between the government and the people. They present the
demands and interests of the people to the government.
2. Mention the functions of a political party.
OR “Political parties play a major role in a democracy”. Justify this statement.
Answer: The functions of the political party are as follows:
Contest elections: Political parties contest elections to win the majority of votes and form the
government. Top party leaders choose their candidates for contesting in elections in India.
Discuss policies and programmes: Political parties convince the public that their policies are better
than the others and would follow it if they are elected.
Law- making: Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country. Laws are
debated and passed. Bills are passed and it becomes a law.Since most of the members belong to a
party they go by the direction of party leadership
Form and run the government: Parties appoint leaders, train them and then make them ministers
to run the government. {ruling party}
Role of the opposition: The parties that lose the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in
power. It keeps a check on the ruling party
 Form the public opinion: various issues facing the country is discussed in the party. They make
policies for it and form the public opinion on it.
Government machinery and welfare schemes: Citizens find it easy to approach a local party leader
than a government officer. So they act as an important link between public and government.
3. Imagine a situation without political parties in a country and write your views about it.
OR Why modern democracies cannot exist without the political parties? Answer:
 No political parties mean that there would be no organized groups of people to form the
government.
 Every candidate would be alone and independent in elections.
 Elections would be complicated as there would be numerous independent candidates.
 Voters would be confused.
 The government would remain uncertain. The representative will be accountable only to his
constituency or area.
 No one would be responsible for how the country will run.
 It would be difficult to decide on national issues such as defence, foreign trade, industry etc.
 Conclusion: we can conclude that political parties are necessary condition for a democracy. They
fulfill all the needs that every representative government has.
4. Mention the components of a political party?
Answer:
 Leaders
 Active members
 followers
5. What is the importance of an opposition party?
Answer:
 Opposition plays an important role in the democracy.
 A good and strong opposition keeps a check on the ruling party.
 It ensures that ruling party does not misuse its power.
 It keeps a check on the bills and expenditures of the government.
 The opposition party ensures that the rights and liberties of people are not curtailed by the
government.
6. What is the importance of regional parties in India?
Answer:
 India has a multi-party system.
 There are six national parties in India.
 Sometimes no national party gets a clear majority in the elections.
 In such a case, the National parties will join with the regional parties to prove their majority
in the Parliament. This is called ‘Coalition government.
 Since 1996, many coalition governments have been formed in India.
 These coalition governments ensure that regional interests and demands are considered.
 Example: Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh, Asom Gana Parishad in
Assam.
7. What are the challenges faced by a political party?
Answer: Political parties are the most visible face of a democracy. So it is natural that people blame it
for whatever is wrong. Let us see the challenges faced by the political parties.
Lack of internal democracy:
 Power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
 Parties do not keep membership registers.
 Do not hold organizational meetings.
 Do not conduct internal elections regularly.
 Ordinary members do not get sufficient information.
Dynastic Succession
 In many Parties , the top position is always controlled by members of the family.
 This is unfair and bad for the democracy.
 People who do not have experience or popular support come to power. This is not true
democracy.
 Money and muscle power
 Some parties use short cuts to win elections.
 Candidates who can raise lots of money are nominated.
 In some cases criminals are also supported.
 After winning the elections also, some parties amass wealth for the next elections.
Meaningful choice to the voters
 Most of the political parties have similar policies and programmes.
 They do not differ in a big way for the public to choose them.
 Sometimes people cannot even elect a different leader because the same leaders keep on shifting
their parties.
 So there is no meaningful choice for the voters to elect the right candidate.

8. How can political parties be reformed? Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that
they perform their functions well.
Answer: Let us look at some of the recent efforts and suggestions in our country to reform political parties
and its leaders.
Amending of our Constitution: Our Constitution was amended to stop the MLAs and MPs from
changing their parties. (Defection). Now Constitution says if any MLA or Mp change his party he or
she will lose the seat in the legislature.
Filing an Affidavit: The Supreme court has passed an order to reduce the influence of money and
criminals. It says that every candidate contesting should file an affidavit giving details of his property and
criminal cases pending against him.
Hold organizational elections: The Election Commission has passed an order to political, parties
asking them to conduct organizational elections and file their income tax returns.
Besides all the above certain suggestions are given to reform political parties like:
 Law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of the party.
 It should be made compulsory for parties to maintain register for its members
 To follow its own rules and regulations
 To hold open elections for high post
 To give minimum number of tickets about 1/3rd to . Women.
 There should be state funding of elections. Government should give the parties some money
for their expenses either in cash or kind. {petrol, paper, telephone etc.,)
9. Write a short note on the following:
CPI and CPM
Answer: Communist party of India
 Formed in 1925.
 They believe in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and Democracy.
 They oppose communalism.
 They promote the interest of the working class, farmers and the poor.
 This party was split in 1964 and led to the formation of the CPI(M)
 Currently it is supporting UPA government from outside. CPI-M
 Founded in 1964.
 Believes in Marxism-Leninism
 Supports secularism, socialism and democracy.
 Main objective is to secure socio-economic justice in India.
 Enjoys strong support in Kerala, West Bengal etc.
 Factory workers, agricultural labourers and farmers support it.
 It was in power in West Bengal for 30 years.
 Now supports UPA government from outside.
10. What are the policies and programmes of the Indian National Congress.
Answer: The Indian national Congress is one of the oldest political parties, not only of India but also of
the world.
 It was formed in 1885. Many eminent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Gopala Krishna Gokhale,
Lokmanya Tilak etc., have played an important role in it.
 Under the leadership of Nehru, the party built a modern secular democratic republic in India.
 After 1989, its support declined.
  It supports new economic reforms but with a human face.
 Emerged as the largest with 145 members in lok Sabha elections in 2004.
11. Explain in detail about the BJP Bharatiya Janata Party
Answer :
 Founded in 1980 by reviving the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
 Values India’s ancient culture and values.
 Cultural nationalism or Hindutva is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood
and politics.
 Wants the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with india.
 Wishes to have a uniform civil code for all people living in India irrespective of religion.
 Came to power in 1998 as the leader of National Democratic Alliance
 Including several state and regional parties.
 Lost elections in 2004 but it is currently the ruling party of India.
12. Write a note on Bahujan Samaj party.
Answer: Formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.
 Seeks to secure the power for dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.
 Draws inspiration from Mahatma Phule, periyar and Ambedkar.
 Its main base is at Uttar Pradesh.
 It is also present in Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab.
13. What is NCP.
 Nationalist Congress party
 Formed in 1999 following a split in the Congress party.
 Espuses democracy, gandhism, equity etc.
 Wants only natural born citizens of india to hold high offices in government.
 It is a major party in Maharashtra. Its presence is in Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam. Since
2004, it is a member of UPA.
14. How has multi-party system strengthened democracy in India?
Answer: A multi-party is one where 2 or more than 2 parties, combine together to form the government.
India is a vast country with multiple of social, religious, linguistic and cultural groups. This cannot be
absorbed in two or three parties. Multi-party system has been practiced in India and it has become a
success. Now also the ruling party is a coalition government. So we can say that multi-party system has
strengthened democracy in India
15. What is single party or one party system? What are its disadvantages?
It is a political system in which only one party is allowed to control and run the government. Eg China,
only communist party is allowed to rule.
Disadvantages; It does not provide a choice .It is against the basic principle of democracy because any
democratic system must allow at least two parties to compete in election and provide a fair chance for
competing parties to come to power
16. What is a two party system? What are its advantages?
In a two party system power, usually changes between two party .Several parties may contest but only
two parties have the serious chance of winning majority of seats to form the government.
Advantages: 1. People get clear choice.
2. The party which loses election forms a strong opposition which prevents the ruling party from taking
irresponsible / wrong decision.
3. Stable and effective government.
17. What is a multiparty system? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
If several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to
power either on their own strength or through an alliance with others is called a multi party system
Advantages: It provides a wide choice and competition
Allows a variety of interests and opinion to enjoy political representation
It even allows a small and local party to flourish and be a part of the government.
Disadvantages: It leads to political instability.
It delays decision making in the parliament.
Many times majority party in a coalition is busy satisfying the needs of other parties
in the coalition rather than the needs of the people.
Leads to corruption