CHAPTER 6

POLITICAL PARTIES
Q.1 What is a political party?
Ans. A political is
party a group of citizens who share the same political views and
contest elections to controlthe government.
Q.2 What is a single party system? Is it good for democracy?
Ans. In a single party system, one political party is allowed to control and run the
government. All political activities are confined to this one party and there is lack of political
competition.
Example: China, only the Communist Party in China is permitted to function and rule. This one
party system is against the principles of democracy because:

a) All powers get concentrated with one party, there is no power sharing.
b) Only one political view prevails.
C) The party does not have to face any competition from rivals.
d) Does not offer any choice to voters.
Q.3 What is a bi-party system? How far is it successful as a democratic option (merits) and
demerits of this system?

Ans. It is a system in which the power alternates between two parties. Severai other parties
may exist, contest elections and win a few seats in the legislatures. But only two main parties
have a chance of winning a majority of seats and form the government.

For example: In Britain (UK), there are the conservatives and the Labour Party. The party
which wins the majority forms the government and the other party forms the opposition.

Merits:
a) Stable Government: The government formed under this system is very stable as it

enjoys an absolute majority

is very strong and effective

b) Strong Opposition: In this system, the opposition
as only one party forms the opposition.

Demerits:
is considered undemocratic as the choice
aUndemocratic: Two party system
political parties is very limited.
given to the voters between the

the ruling party enjoys an absolute majority and

b) Cabinet Dictatorship: Since Can

cabinet.
assume dictatorship of the

multi-party system? What are its merits and demerits

Q4 What is a

several parties compete for power and

Ans. It is a political system in which more than
chance or Coming to power on their own strength
two parties have a reasonable n allianco
orriin

with others.
TE is ditticult for any one
party to win majority of the seats so the government is forme Dyd
coalition of parties. India
has a multi-party system.
Merits:
3) Democratic in
Nature: This system gives a wide choice to the voters during
elections
()Absenceof Cabinet dictatorship:; Dictatorship is avoided and legislature is not a
puppet in the hands of the cabinet
C) Represents
Interests of Various Groups: The coalition government is formed
keeping in mind the interests of various
groups and sections.
Demerits:
(a) Weak and
Unstable Govt. The government formed is weak and unstable as it isa
coalition based on
compromises.
(6Confusedaccountability: Responsibility is not easy to fix as different
blame each other for
parties
wrong doings.
Q5. State various functions
political parties perform in a
democracy? Wha: do the political
parties do?
Ans. a) contest elections: political
parties contest elections to win the election and form
the govt. the parties nominate
their candidates who
in countries like represent the party party in the election.
india, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting the elactior..
b) policies and programmes: the parties put forward their
convince peopBe to cast their vote in their favour programmes i crder to
the
government policies are genera, iased on
promises by the party during election.
c) Making lavws: parties piay a decisive role in making laws for the
debated and passed irn th.e covy, : s are
legislature. As most of the members oí the legislature ar: frC the
majority party, the members carry on the orders of the party leader.
d) Form and
the govt.: The political party which wins the
run
election forms the govt and
runsthe country. Ali deisions are taken by them. Trained
and experienced members are
made the ministers who execute policies of the govt.

e) Role of opposition- The

political parties that lose the election forms the
party. keeps check on the ruling party. Opposition parties criticise the
It opposition
make policies which are not in favour of the masses and keeps a check that ruling party if they

not misuse its power.

ruling party does

Eorms ottblic opinion- Political

) parties form public opinion by
faced by the country. The pressure groups
discussing various issues
asSOClated with the parties inform the
various matters. They launch movements tor the problems facing the ntry. public ahou
out

of parties are there?

Q6- How many kinds

which have
1) National parties- The parties influence all over the
Ans.
states a r e
lled National parties.
called National parties, Tho
They follow thecountry and have the
units in various
programmes
she
decided at the national
national level. Example-
level.
Example- Con
Congress party, BJP,
same
policies and
CP1,
2) Regional parties- The parties which
have their influence only in a particular region dn
generally form govt in their own region are Regional parties. Example- Akalt Daly
AIABMK.

Q7-When is a political party

recognised as a national party?
Ans. A national party is one that has its leadership, members and supporters all Over the

country.
a) t must secure at least 6% of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections or assembly
elections in 4 states.
b) It must win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha from any or more states.

Q8 Give a brief history of the following political parties Ans. Indian

National Congress
Popularly known as Congress party, founded in 1885 and is the oldest party in the
world.

Ideology:
1. Upholding democracy, socialism, secularism.
2. Safeguards educational, religious and cultural rights and promotes welfare of the
weaker section and minorities.

3. It supports new economic reforms but with a human face.

Current status:

Currently the leading opposition party heading the UPA.

Bhartiya Janta Party

It was founded in 1980 by reviving the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

ldeology
1. It wants to build India a strong and modern nation by drawing inspiration from its
ancient culture and value.
2. Cultural nationalism or Hindutva is an important element in its concept of lndian
nationhood and politics.
3. It advocates full territorial and political integration of J&K with India
I t stresses a uniform civil code for all the people living in the
country irrespective of
their religion.
5. It wants ban on religious conversions.

Bahujan Samaj Party

Was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.

ldeology
and secure power for the
1. Seeks to represent Bahujan Samaj which
adivasis, OBCs
and religious minorities. includes the
dalits,
 2. Stands for the cause of securing interests and welfare of the Dalits and oppressed
people.
Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) -

Founded in 1964.

Ideology:
1. Believes in Marxism- Leninism.
. Supports socialism, secularism and democracy and opposes imperialism and
communalism.
3. Wants democratic elections to
bring about socio-economic justice in India.
4. Critical of the new economic
policies of India and free flow of foreign capital in the
country.
5.

QWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of political parties?

Ans: Merits:

a) Promote Unity in Diversity: Political parties unite like minded

diverse background to form a wide coalition of people belonging to
people and having unity in diversity.
b) Impact political education: Politicai parties educate the
people politically by
popularising the manifesto through campaigning and by checking the government
inside the parliament
c) Mediate b/w Pressure Groups: They mediate between different
groups which represent
various interests. They strike a compromise between the demands of different
so as to satisfy maximum number of them.
groups
d) Check the government: Opposition political parties check the government from
becoming corrupt and dictatorial through various means.
Demerts:
a) Encourage casteism and communalis: Politicai parties encourage casteism and
communalism. These factors act like their vote bank. This in turn leads to and disunity
violence in the country.
b) Corruption & Malpractices: Politicai parties in order to come to power use all possible
means to capture votes. For this, they indulge in eiectoral
malpractices like rigging,
booth capturing etc.
c) Over centralization: Political party leaders and bossed become so powerful and
dominant that they start acting like dictators in the party affecting the democratic
participation of its members.
 9.Can the rcognition as a national party be withdrawn at any time
Ans. The election commission can withdraw the recognition ot a party ds a
PRJonal party under either of the following circumstances
a) The party ceases to fulfil the eligibility conditions.
b) The party does porfoliow 'Model code of conduct'.
Butif it is done, the party is given the opportunity to give clarification.

Q10. What adyantage does a political party get from its recognition as a

national party?
Ans. There are 2 clear advantages:
a) It can present itself as a serious contender for power. and accordingly
tries to build a nationM wide campaign to get support for its policies and
programmes.
b) An election symbol is reserved for it. This symbol can tbe used only by this

party
Q1What are th factors that determine the nature of a party system in

country?
Ans. There is no single party 9ystem which is ideal for all counbries in all
situations. Every country develops a partysystem that is.conditioned by its
special circumstances. The nature of the party system in a country is
influenced by the following factors
e)Nature.ofsoçiety
b) Social &Regional divisionswithin the society
cSystem of elections followed in the country
d) History of politics i

9-12. An effective yesponSbleopposition is important for democrac.

Comment.
A An effective responsible opposition is the hallmark of democracy. Oppositian

plays a two way role-

a) Positive role:

The obposition criticises end expCses ne mistakes, shortcomings. failuroc

ana acis Ke
tus
ote of the ruling party 4
necessary corrective to it
 people to the ruling
Opposition helps in conveying the grievances of the
to formulate policies accordingly
Farty which helps the government
the govt. and
malpractices by
Opposition keeps a check on the financial
Stockshare scam etc.
expose the variousscams like B. fors deal,
when the ruling party
h e opposition acts like an alternative government

collapses before completing its term.

b) Negative Role:- Opposition parties oppose all government measures

without giving any constructive suggestions.
putting dharnas,
It hampers the prOgress of the country by
demonstrations etc.
The main aim of opposition is to discreditthegovt.
not obstruct the working of the
Therefore opposition 'should oppose
govt.

Q 13. What are the various challenges faced by a political party?

order
Ans. Political parties need to face and overccme following chalenges in
to remairi effective and performing their Fiunetions- :.
a)Lack of internal democracy:
-

In a true
to take part in the decision
democracy everyone has an equal right
towards
but the political partics have a tendency
máking process
concentration of power in one orfew leaders the top.
at
decisions of the
member of a party is not consulted before taking the
Every
-

party. have
-
Political parties do not hold organisational meetings and even donot
internal electionsregularly.

/b) Dynastic Succession:

oné as the real power in a party lies
-This challenge is
related thefirst with

at the top positions which

are generally held by members of
with a few leadess
a family.
not practice open and transparent procedures for their
-Political parties do
functioning
find it diTiCult to rise
to the top positions as the memha
Ordinary members
advantage of getting these positions.
close to the
family get an
c) Money &Muscle power:-
t i sanother growing challenge these days especially during elections.
Since parties compete with each other to win the elections and form
can raise a
gOvernment, they tend to nominate these candidates who have or
have
lot ofmoney. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties
influence on the policies and discussions of the party.
d) Meaningful Choice to the voters: is very
-
Political parties do not offer a meaningful choice to the voters as there
little ideological difference among the parties. faced by the
-

Most of the parties these days agree on

fundamental issues
in the preference and priority for such
issues.
country. They differ only the same set
different leaderseven because
.

elect
-Sometimes people cannot
of leaders keep on shifting from one party to another.
election
made by the Supreme Court,and the
Mention the efforts
Q 14. parties
reform the political parties or strengthen the political
commission to
weli.
so that they can function
Or
made to strengthen theworking of political parties.
Explain some reforms face the challenges in a
need to reform themselves to
Ans. The political parties Supreme
reforms suggestéd and undertaken by the
better way: Some of the
are:
Court and the election commission Law, MLAs or MPs
cannot
Anti Defection
a) Anti-Defection Law: Under the It elected
the election. was done because many
change party ier become ministers for
were indulging in
defection in order to
representatives he
MLA or MP changes parties,
personal benefits. But nów the law says, if any
This new law has helped to bring
the legislature.
she will loose the seat in what
m e a n s that the
MPs and MLAS will have to accept
down defection. It also

the party leaders decide.

has passed an order to reduce the influence of

The Supreme Court
b) Affidavit: fo every candidate who contests the
criminais. It is mandatory
money and
elections to file an
affidavit gíving detais
is propeoty and the criminal cases
new system nas made a lot of information available
The
pending against him.
 to the public and woud help the voter in making a better choice during
electionhs.

C) Steps taken by the Election Commission: The Election Commission passed an

order making
it necessary for the political parties to hold their organisational
elections and file their income tax returns.

45. Explain some measures to strengthen the electoral system of India.

Ans. Measures suggested to strengthen the electoral system are:
) Regulation of internal affairs of the political parties:
A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. It
should be made
compulsory for everypolitical party to maintain a members.hip
register, to follo its own constitutiorn and to hold elections for thc iop
positions of the party.
(0) Representatior: to women candidates
Itshould be m2ne compulsory for the poiitical parties to give about one-thir
of the patytickete ta vwomen candidates as well as there should be a quotz for
women in the decision making body of th: pårty.
(i) Provision cY stae funding:
The political perties should get money from state
govt.for eletions within thhe
party. It could be given in kind like petrol, paper or telephones etc.
(iv) Role of people:
People, pressure groüps, novements and media car: play an umporlant rale in
reforming nolitical parties. The political parties would
pjake Yeforne raore
seriously 4f they feei that they would loose public suppoyt, by not making
reforms. Te quality of democracy depends on
the publsc Participation.