Question

What are the various challenges faced by political parties?

Answer 1

Political parties play a vital role in a democratic system. It is natural for individuals to blame parties for failing to perform their functions adequately. Political parties face the following main challenges:

1. Lack of internal democracy: There is a lack of internal democracy among parties. For example, organisational elections are not held on a regular basis. The President and other top party leaders make the majority of decisions. Ordinary members have no say in the party’s decision-making process. As a result, power tends to be concentrated in the hands of one or a few top leaders.
2. Dynastic succession: When it comes to giving election tickets, family members or others who are connected to top leaders are given priority. Sometimes, well-deserving members are denied tickets. Political parties do not maintain open and transparent procedures. Members of one family have always held high-level positions such as President or Secretary General.
3. Use of money and muscle power: Political parties use money and muscle power to purchase votes and run expensive campaigns. Nominating wealthy candidates increases their chances of winning elections. A muscle force is also employed during elections. It is used to intimidate voters, seize booths, and threaten the opposition campaign. In some circumstances, political parties encourage and choose criminals to win elections.
4. Hardly any meaningful choice: In most parts of the world, ideological distinctions between parties have shrunk in recent years. In our country, too, the distinctions between all of the major parties on economic policies have reduced. People have little choice because the same set of leaders is constantly switching from one party to another.