Political Parties

Why do we need political parties ?

• To organise elections and to form Governments

• It is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the Government

What is a political party?

What do political parties do?

• They agree on policies and programmes to promote collective good

• Persuade people to know why their policies are better than others

• They seek to implement policies by winning popular support through elections

• They reflect fundamental political divisions in a society

• They are a part of society and involve in partisanship

What are the three components of a political party?

• Leaders• Active Members• Followers

Functions of a Political Party...

• They contest elections, select candidates & puts forward policies

• They make a decisive role in making laws• Parties form and run Governments• Opposition checks the Government and

preserves democracy• Parties shape public opinion• Parties provide people access to Government

machinery and welfare schemes

What will be the situation without Political Parties ?

• Independent candidates will be there• No promise would be made with regard to

policy changes• Governmental unity will be at stake• Representatives will be accountable to their

constituency but not responsible to run it

What are the needs fulfilled by Political Parties ?

• Representation• Parties gather views on various issues and

present it to the Government• Parties bring various representatives to form

responsible Government• Parties have the mechanism to support or

restrain Government, make policies, justify or oppose them

• Parties are a necessary condition for democracy

How many parties should we have?

• One party system• Example - China – Communist Party of China

• Two Party /Bi Party• Example - U.S.A. and U.K.

• Multi Party –several parties compete and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power on their own strength or in alliance(coalition government)

• Example - India

What is an Alliance or Front ?• Joining of several parties for contesting elections

and winning power

• Political scenario becomes messy• Political instability• Various interests and opinions to enjoy political

representation

• Social and geographical diversity is not easily absorbed by two or three parties

Effects of multi party system...

Why has India gone in for a multi party system?

Political Parties...National Parties• They have units in various states .Have same policies,

programmes and strategy that is decided at national level

• Secure at least 6% of votes in Lok Sabha or assembly elections in 4 states and win at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha

• Example - Congress I, Bharatiya Janata Party

What are recognised political parties?• They are recognised by the Election Commission by

giving symbols• Only official candidates can use these symbols

Political Parties…

State Party• Must have secured 6% of total votes in an

election to legislature of a state and win at least 2 seats

• Example DMK, Telugu Desam & AIADMK

Name some State Parties that have National level political organisations ?

• Samajwadi Party, Samata Party & Rashtriya Janata Dal

What are the challenges to Political Parties ?

Lack of Internal Democracy• Concentration of power in one or few leaders• No membership register, no meetings, no internal

elections and insufficient information for ordinary members

• They do not have scope to influence decisions

Dynasty Succession • Leaders have unfair advantage to favour people close

to them• Do not practice open and transparent procedure for

functioning• Top positions always controlled by family members

What are the challenges to Political Parties ?

Money & Muscle Power• They focus on elections• Use short cut methods to win• Moneyed candidates come to power• Rich tend to influence• Criminals are supported in order to win elections

Offering of Meaningful Choice • Decline in ideological differences• Agreement on fundamental aspects• Narrowing down of differences on economic policies• No choice of leadership

How can we reform Political Parties?

• Elected MLA’S & MP’S should not defect• Reduction of influence of money• Parties to hold their organisational elections & file

income tax returns• Regulation of internal affairs of political parties• Mandatory for political parties to give minimum

number of tickets• State funding of elections• People can petition political parties• Political parties can improve if those who want

improvement, join parties