Political Party in India

A political party in India is an organised group of individuals who share common political ideologies, objectives, and policies, and who seek to gain political power through participation in elections. Political parties play a crucial role in shaping the democratic process, acting as a bridge between the government and the people. India, being the world’s largest democracy, has a vibrant and diverse multi-party system that reflects its social, cultural, and regional diversity.

Meaning and Role of Political Parties

A political party may be defined as an association of citizens who come together to contest elections and hold power in government in order to promote national interests and implement specific programmes and policies.
The main functions of political parties in India include:

• Representation: Providing candidates for elections and giving citizens a choice of leadership and policies.
• Policy Formulation: Framing socio-economic and political policies that guide governance.
• Political Education: Spreading awareness among the people about political rights, duties, and issues.
• Link Between Government and People: Communicating public demands to the government and explaining government decisions to the public.
• Formation of Government: The majority party or coalition forms the government, while others function as the opposition.

Political parties are thus central to the functioning of India’s parliamentary democracy.

Constitutional and Legal Recognition

The Constitution of India does not explicitly define political parties but recognises their essential role in democratic governance. Political parties in India are governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and regulated by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The ECI grants official recognition to parties based on their performance in elections. Recognised parties enjoy privileges such as reserved election symbols, free broadcast time on national media, and financial benefits.

Types of Political Parties in India

Political parties in India are broadly classified into three categories:

1. National PartiesThese are parties recognised in four or more states and represent national interests. They contest elections across the country and must secure at least 6% of the valid votes in Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly elections in four or more states, in addition to winning at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.Examples of major national parties include:
   • Indian National Congress (INC)
   • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
   • Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
   • Communist Party of India (CPI)
   • Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)
   • National People’s Party (NPP)
   • Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
2. State or Regional PartiesThese parties operate within individual states or regions and focus on local or regional issues. They must secure at least 6% of valid votes in a state’s Legislative Assembly election and win at least two seats.Prominent examples include:
   • Trinamool Congress (TMC) – West Bengal
   • Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) – Tamil Nadu
   • Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) – Maharashtra
   • Biju Janata Dal (BJD) – Odisha
   • Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) – Andhra Pradesh
   • Telangana Rashtra Samithi (BRS) – Telangana
   • Janata Dal (Secular) – Karnataka
3. Registered (Unrecognised) PartiesThese are political organisations registered with the Election Commission but not meeting the criteria to be recognised as either national or state parties. They can contest elections but do not enjoy the privileges granted to recognised parties.

Evolution of Political Parties in India

The evolution of political parties in India can be divided into several phases:

• Pre-Independence Period: The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, was the first major political organisation and spearheaded the freedom movement. Other parties such as the Muslim League (1906) and Hindu Mahasabha (1915) represented sectional interests during the colonial era.
• Post-Independence Period (1947–1967): The Congress dominated Indian politics, both at the Centre and in most states. Opposition parties such as the CPI, Jan Sangh, and Swatantra Party emerged but remained weak.
• Era of Coalition Politics (1967–1989): The decline of Congress dominance led to the rise of regional parties and coalition governments. The Janata Party formed the first non-Congress government at the Centre in 1977.
• Multi-Party System (1990–Present): The post-1990 period witnessed the emergence of strong regional parties and frequent coalition governments, such as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and United Progressive Alliance (UPA). This period marked the decentralisation of political power and greater regional representation.

Major National Political Parties

1. Indian National Congress (INC):
   • Founded in 1885, it is the oldest political party in India.
   • Played a leading role in the Indian freedom struggle.
   • Advocates democratic socialism, secularism, and inclusive development.
   • Has produced several prime ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh.
2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
   • Established in 1980 as the successor to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
   • Follows the ideology of Hindutva, nationalism, and cultural unity.
   • Prominent leaders include Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L. K. Advani, and Narendra Modi.
   • Currently the dominant party at the national level, leading the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
3. Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]:
   • Based on Marxist-Leninist ideology advocating class struggle and workers’ rights.
   • Strongholds in Kerala, West Bengal, and Tripura.
4. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):
   • Founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984 to represent Dalits, Scheduled Castes, and backward classes.
   • Notable influence in Uttar Pradesh and adjoining states.
5. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
   • Formed in 2012 out of the India Against Corruption movement.
   • Promotes transparency, good governance, and anti-corruption reforms.
   • Governs Delhi and Punjab.

Role of Regional Parties

Regional parties have become powerful actors in India’s federal political system. They articulate local demands, preserve regional identity, and ensure decentralised governance. Their participation in national coalitions has increased their influence over central policymaking.
Examples include:

• DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu,
• TMC in West Bengal,
• BJD in Odisha,
• TRS (now BRS) in Telangana,
• JD(U) in Bihar,
• Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

These parties have contributed to the strengthening of India’s federal structure by balancing central authority with regional aspirations.

Party System in India

India follows a multi-party system, reflecting its plural society. Unlike two-party systems (as in the USA or UK), India’s system accommodates diverse political ideologies, religions, languages, and regional interests.
Over time, the system has evolved from:

• One-Party Dominant System (1947–1967) led by Congress,
• to Bipolar Coalition Politics (1990–2014),
• and now towards a Dominant-Party System under the BJP-led NDA.

Role of the Election Commission

The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in regulating political parties. Its responsibilities include:

• Registration and recognition of parties.
• Allotment of election symbols.
• Monitoring party expenditure and ensuring compliance with electoral laws.
• Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct during elections.

Challenges Faced by Political Parties

Indian political parties face numerous challenges that affect their credibility and democratic functioning:

• Dynastic leadership and concentration of power within families.
• Corruption and criminalisation in politics.
• Ideological ambiguity and opportunistic alliances.
• Internal indiscipline and lack of intra-party democracy.
• Use of money and muscle power in elections.
• Neglect of grassroots representation and overcentralisation of decision-making.

Efforts are being made to reform the party system through transparency measures, electoral funding reforms, and stricter oversight by the Election Commission.