Political Parties

A political party can be termed an organised group of like-minded people who hold similar views on political issues of the country. Political parties should work to promote and safeguard national interests.

Basic Characteristics of Political Parties

Unity:
Formation of a political party is possible only when the members of a party work as a team and share similar opinion on basic issues and policy matters.

Organised System of Working:
A political party follows some rules and regulations to maintain discipline in the party. Constitutional Means:
In a country like India, a political party has to work within the democratic and constitutional framework.

Objectives:
A political party has certain aims and objectives. For example, the Marxist party has the main aim to work for the upliftment of the downtrodden section of society.

National Interest:
Political parties should work to promote and safeguard national interests. They also work on non-sectarian issues. Objectives of the Political Party Basic

Objectives of the political parties:

To capture power and form the government
To safeguard national interests through their programmes and ideologies
The parties in opposition scrutinise the policies of the ruling party
To provide public leaders who can lead the country on the path of development
To provide a common platform for uniting masses which are divided on religious, social, cultural and other religious groups
Also Read Elections

Types of Political Parties

There are two types of political parties at present—national and regional political parties.

National Political Parties

A national party is one which is recognised by the Election Commission in four or more states and has a nationwide presence.
A political party is recognised as a national party if it fulfils the following criteria:

It secures at least six percent of total votes in the Lok Sabha elections.
It secures at least six percent of total votes in the Assembly elections in at least four states.
It wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha.
Its candidates are elected from at least two percent of the total number of parliamentary constituencies in at least three states.

The Election Commission has recognised the following parties as national parties:

Indian National Congress (INC)
Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)
Communist Party of India (CPI)
Communist Party of India (Marxist CPIM)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

Importance of the National Party

National presence helps it to solve regional issues
Works for the upliftment of people and nation
Formulate policies for solving major national issues
The opposition party keeps check on the ruling party
It takes part in forming the government at the centre
Also Read Constitution -Fundamental Rights and Duties

Regional Parties

Regional parties function at the state level. A political party which is recognised in less than four states is known as a state party. Political parties are recognised as regional parties if they fulfil the following criteria:

A party secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to Legislative Assembly of a state.
A party should win at least one seat in the Lok Sabha from the state in the general elections.

Importance of the Regional Party

It looks into the problems and issues at the regional level.
A regional party with representation in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha helps draw attention of the nationalist parties and the people towards regional issues.
Many regional parties have extended their support to national parties. This helps give a stable government at the centre.
Regional parties can play the role of the opposition party if it is not a part of the government.

Role of Political Parties

It acts as a link between the people and the government.
Election-related functions of a political party are

It participates in the election and addresses major social, economic and political issues which are faced by the nation or state.
A political party selects suitable candidates for contesting elections.
It campaigns for its own party policies and candidates by organising rallies, public meetings and taking out processions.
The party workers help a political party to win public support and cooperation.

One of the major roles of a political party is to provide good governance after forming the government at the centre or state level.
Political parties provide people with an alternative choice at the time of elections. When people are not happy with the performance of a ruling party, they can vote for another political party.
Political parties unite the nation by integrating different classes, interest groups and overcoming geographical distances.
Political parties can also plan for social progressive changes.

State Parties in India

List of major state parties in India:

Samajwadi Party (Uttar Pradesh)
Bahujan Samaj Party (Uttar Pradesh)
Rashtriya Janta Dal (Bihar)
Trinamool Congress (West Bengal)
Biju Janta Dal (Odisha)
Sikkim Democratic Front (Sikkim)
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (Jammu and Kashmir)
People’s Democratic Party (Jammu and Kashmir)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Tamil Nadu)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Tamil Nadu)
Telugu Desam Party (Andhra Pradesh)
Shiv Sena (Maharashtra)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (Maharashtra)

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