- Political parties link people, democracy, elections and representation.
- A political party is formed to contest elections and gain political power.
- Political parties compete in elections to form the government or act as opposition.
- Each party follows a specific ideology and party agenda.
- Political parties act as a bridge between the government and the people.
Definitions [4]
Definition: Political Parties
- When people form organisations with the objective of achieving political power and participate in the electoral process, such organisations are called political parties.
- Political parties thus can be described as a group of people who aim to contest elections, win elections and get power and establish the government of their party.
Definition: One Party System
If power remains with one political party for a long period and if no other political parties are influential-the party system is called as one party system.
Definition: Two Party system
In politics, when two political parties are influential and if political parties enjoy power alternatively, the party system is called two party system.
Definition: Multi-party System
When many political parties compete for political power and more or less they are equally influential, the party system is called multi-party system.
Key Points
Key Points: Political Party System in India
Key Points: Changing Nature of Political Party System in India
- After independence, India followed a single dominant party system led by the Congress Party.
- In 1977, non-Congress parties united and challenged the single-party dominance.
- After 1989, the era of one dominant party ended and coalition governments became common.
- Coalition governments proved stable in India, formed by both Congress and BJP.
- India now follows a multi-party system with both national and regional parties recognised by the Election Commission.
Representation in Vidhan Sabha
| Name of Party | Seats won (Election Year 2009) | Seats won (Election Year 2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Bahujan Vikas Aghadi | 02 | 03 |
| Rashtriya Samaj Paksha | 01 | 01 |
| All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Musalmeen | * | 02 |
| Janasurajya Shakti | 02 | – |
| Loksangram | 01 | – |
| Swabhimani Party | 01 | – |
Seats Won by National Parties (2009 & 2014)
| National Parties | Number of Seats (2009) | Number of Seats (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian National Congress | 206 | 44 |
| Communist Party of India | 04 | 01 |
| Bharatiya Janata Party | 116 | 282 |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 16 | 09 |
| Bahujan Samaj Party | 21 | – |
| Nationalist Congress Party | 09 | 06 |
Key Points: National Parties
- The Indian National Congress (1885) supports secularism, democratic socialism, equality, and the welfare of the weaker sections.
- Communist Party of India (1925) works for labourers and opposes capitalism; it later split to form CPI (Marxist) in 1964.
- CPI (Marxist) supports socialism, secularism, democracy and protects workers, farmers and labourers.
- Bharatiya Janata Party (1980) focuses on Indian culture, traditions and economic reforms.
- Bahujan Samaj Party (1984) works for the upliftment of SC, ST, minorities and OBCs.
- The Nationalist Congress Party (1999) believes in democracy, equality, and secularism and has worked in coalition governments.
- Regional identity, based on language, culture, and regional interests, led to the rise of regional political parties in India.
Key Points: Regional Parties
- Regional parties represent regional identity and work for the political and economic development of a specific region.
- Their influence is mainly limited to a particular region, but they also affect national politics.
- Regional parties demand greater autonomy and authority for regional development.
- Initially, some regional parties raised separatist demands like Khalistan and Dravidistan.
- Later, these demands shifted from separatism to greater autonomy within India.
- Regional parties now participate in mainstream national politics and support coalition governments.
- The growing role of regional parties has led to the rise of coalition politics in India.
Regional Parties in Maharashtra
| Name of Party | Seats won (Election Year 2009) | Seats won (Election Year 2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Shiv Sena | 44 | 63 |
| Maharashtra Navnirman Sena | 13 | 01 |
| Peasants and Workers Party | 04 | 03 |
| Republican Party of India-Bahujan Mahasangh | 01 | 01 |
| Republican Party of India | – | – |
| Samajwadi Party | 04 | 01 |
Important Questions [15]
- State whether the following statement is true or false. Give a reason for your answer. Political parties act as a link between government and people.
- Answer the Following Question in One Sentence :What is State Level Or Regional Political Party?
- Answer the Following Question. What is the Main Aim of the Political Party?
- Justice party – a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into ____________ Political party.
- State whether the following statement is true or false. Give a reason for your answer: Coalition politics leads to instability.
- State whether the following statement is true or false. Give reasons for your answer. Shiromani Akali Dal is a national party.
- Discuss the multi-party system.
- Complete the Following Picture Complete the Following Timeline Showing the Political Parties and Their Year of Establishment :
- Complete the following concept diagram: National Parties in India
- Explain the following concept. Regionalism
- Explain the following concept. National Parties
- Complete the following chart: Regional Parties in Maharashtra
- Write Short Note on Regionalism.
- Complete the following concept map: Regional Parties in India
- Explain the following concept. Regional Parties.
