All questions of Political Parties for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

Explanation:

In India, political parties are recognized as national parties or state parties based on their performance in elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for granting recognition to political parties.

To be recognized as a national party in India, a political party must fulfill the following conditions:

Condition 1: Securing six per cent of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election

A political party can be recognized as a national party if it secures at least six percent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states in a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly of the state. The party must also win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.

Condition 2: Winning four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states

A political party can also be recognized as a national party if it wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states in a general election.

Condition 3: Winning two per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election and these candidates are elected from three states

A political party can also be recognized as a national party if it wins at least two percent of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election and these candidates are elected from three states.

Conclusion:

Thus, all the above-mentioned conditions must be fulfilled for a political party to be recognized as a national party in India. Once a party is recognized as a national party, it is entitled to certain privileges, such as the right to get a common election symbol across the country, the right to have its own broadcast on state-run television and radio, and the right to receive financial assistance from the government.

Introduction:
Coalition politics refers to the formation of alliances or partnerships between different political parties to gain a majority in the government. In India, coalition politics became prominent during the period from 1989 to 2014.

Reasons for the Emergence of Coalition Politics:
1. End of Single Party Dominance: Prior to 1989, the Indian National Congress (INC) enjoyed a dominant position in Indian politics. However, with the emergence of regional parties and the decline of the Congress party's popularity, the era of single-party dominance came to an end.

2. Fragmentation of the Party System: The rise of regional parties led to a more fragmented party system in India. These regional parties represented the diverse interests and aspirations of various states and communities. As a result, no single party could secure a majority on its own, leading to the need for coalition governments.

3. Growth of Coalition-Oriented Politics: The Mandal Commission report in 1990 and the implementation of the Mandal reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) led to the emergence of identity-based politics. Parties started forming alliances based on caste, religion, or regional affiliations to consolidate their vote banks.

Key Phases of Coalition Politics:
1. Janata Dal Era (1989-1991): The National Front government, led by V.P. Singh, came to power in 1989 with the support of several regional and left-wing parties. This marked the beginning of coalition politics at the national level.

2. United Front Governments (1996-1998): The United Front, a multi-party coalition, formed governments under Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral. These governments were supported by the Congress party from outside.

3. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) (1998-2004): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led the NDA coalition, which consisted of several regional parties. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister during this period.

4. United Progressive Alliance (UPA) (2004-2014): The Congress party formed the UPA coalition with support from various regional parties. Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister for two consecutive terms.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Coalition Politics:
Advantages:
- Reflects diverse interests and regional aspirations.
- Promotes power-sharing and consensus-building.
- Prevents the concentration of power in a single party.

Disadvantages:
- Can lead to instability and frequent elections.
- Compromises on policy decisions to accommodate the interests of coalition partners.
- Lack of accountability as blame can be shifted between coalition partners.

Conclusion:
Coalition politics became prominent in India from 1989 to 2014 due to the end of single-party dominance, the fragmentation of the party system, and the growth of coalition-oriented politics. This period witnessed the formation of various coalition governments, including the National Front, United Front, NDA, and UPA. While coalition politics reflects the diversity of Indian society, it also poses challenges in terms of stability and decision-making.

The primary difference between a national party and a state party in India is that national parties have a presence in multiple states, while state parties have a presence in only one state. This distinction is based on the geographical scope and reach of these political parties.

Explanation:

**National Parties:**
- National parties in India are those political parties that have a presence and are recognized in multiple states across the country.
- These parties have a wider reach and aim to address national issues and concerns that affect the entire country.
- Examples of national parties in India include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M).
- National parties often contest elections in multiple states and field candidates across different regions.
- They have a more extensive support base and are involved in shaping national policies and governance.

**State Parties:**
- State parties in India are those political parties that have a presence and are recognized in only one state.
- These parties primarily focus on addressing state-specific issues and concerns that affect their respective regions.
- State parties often have a deeper understanding of local dynamics and cater to the needs and aspirations of their constituents at the state level.
- Examples of state parties in India include the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu, and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh.
- State parties primarily contest elections within their respective states and field candidates for state legislative assemblies and Lok Sabha seats from their region.

**Significance of the Difference:**
The difference between national parties and state parties is significant as it reflects the political landscape and representation in India. National parties have a broader scope and aim to address national issues, while state parties focus on state-specific concerns. This distinction allows for a diverse representation of regional interests and ensures that both national and local issues are adequately addressed in the Indian political system. It also enables the participation of various political ideologies and perspectives from different states, contributing to a pluralistic democracy.

Conditions for a party to be recognized as a state party in India:

a) Securing six per cent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned and winning 2 seats in the assembly of the state concerned:
- To be recognized as a state party, a party must secure at least six per cent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the legislative assembly.
- Additionally, the party must also win a minimum of 2 seats in the assembly of the state concerned.

b) Securing six per cent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha from the state concerned and winning 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from the state concerned:
- Another condition for a party to be recognized as a state party is to secure six per cent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha.
- The party must also win at least 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from the state concerned.

c) Winning three per cent of seats in the legislative assembly at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned or 3 seats in the assembly, whichever is more:
- In addition to the above conditions, a party can also be recognized as a state party by winning three per cent of seats in the legislative assembly at a general election.
- Alternatively, the party must win a minimum of 3 seats in the assembly, whichever is more achievable.
Therefore, for a party to be recognized as a state party in India, it must fulfill all the above conditions.

Introduction:
The Indian party system witnessed a transition to a multi-party system during the period of 1977-1980. This transition was a significant development in Indian politics, marking the end of single-party dominance and the emergence of multiple political parties.

Explanation:
During the initial years after India's independence in 1947, the Indian National Congress (INC) enjoyed a dominant position in the Indian party system. The INC, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, held a strong majority in the Parliament and formed the government at the center. This period from 1952 to 1964 is known as the "Congress System" era.

Emergence of Opposition Parties:
1. In the 1950s and 1960s, several regional and opposition parties started gaining ground and challenging the dominance of the Congress party.
2. The Communist Party of India (CPI) emerged as a significant opposition party, particularly in states like Kerala and West Bengal.
3. Other regional parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, the Akali Dal in Punjab, and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh also gained popularity.

Indira Gandhi's Split from Congress:
1. The period from 1964 to 1977 witnessed political turbulence and the split within the Congress party itself.
2. In 1969, Indira Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, took over as the Prime Minister of India. However, she faced opposition from within the Congress party.
3. In 1971, Indira Gandhi led the Congress party to victory in the general elections, but her authoritarian style of governance and the imposition of emergency in 1975 led to further discontent.

Post-Emergency Period:
1. The imposition of emergency in 1975 and the subsequent public backlash against Indira Gandhi's government led to a significant realignment of political forces in India.
2. In 1977, the opposition parties formed a coalition called the Janata Party, which emerged victorious in the general elections, ending the Congress party's uninterrupted rule.
3. This marked the beginning of the transition to a multi-party system, with the emergence of various political parties and coalitions challenging the dominance of the Congress party.

Conclusion:
The period from 1977 to 1980 witnessed a significant transition in the Indian party system, as the single-party dominance of the Congress party gave way to a multi-party system. This transition was a result of various factors, including the emergence of regional and opposition parties, the split within the Congress party, and the public backlash against the authoritarian rule of Indira Gandhi.

Indian Party System: Characteristics and Explanation

Introduction:
The Indian party system has been evolving since India's independence in 1947. It has undergone various changes in terms of the number of political parties, their ideologies, and their electoral performance. In this context, let's understand the characteristics of the Indian party system and why option 'D' is not a characteristic feature.

Multi-Party System:
The Indian party system is characterized by a multi-party system, where there are several political parties that compete for power in elections. The number of political parties in India has been increasing over time, and today, there are over 2000 registered political parties in the country.

One-Dominant Party System:
India also has a one-dominant party system, where one political party has a significant electoral advantage over other parties. For example, the Congress party was the dominant party in India for several decades, winning most of the elections until the 1980s. However, since then, the BJP has emerged as the dominant party, winning several elections and forming the government at the center.

Lack of Clear Ideology:
Another characteristic of the Indian party system is the lack of clear ideology among political parties. Most political parties in India do not have a well-defined ideology, and their policies and positions on various issues are often ambiguous. This is because many parties are formed around the personality of a leader or to cater to the interests of a particular group.

Based on Traditional Factors:
The Indian party system is also based on traditional factors such as caste, religion, language, and region. Political parties in India often have a strong base in a particular region or among a particular community. For example, the DMK in Tamil Nadu has a strong base among the Tamil-speaking population, while the BJP has a strong base among Hindus.

Not Based on Modern Factors:
Option 'D' is not a characteristic feature of the Indian party system because the party system in India is not based on modern factors such as class, income, or education. In many Western democracies, political parties are based on modern factors, and their policies and positions are often shaped by these factors. However, in India, the party system is still largely based on traditional factors, and modern factors have not yet played a significant role in shaping the political landscape.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Indian party system is characterized by a multi-party system, a one-dominant party system, a lack of clear ideology, and a base on traditional factors such as caste, religion, language, and region. Modern factors such as class, income, and education have not yet played a significant role in shaping the party system in India.

Primary Function of Political Parties in a Democracy

1. To provide an agency for gathering different views on various issues:
Political parties serve as a platform where individuals with varying ideologies, beliefs, and opinions can come together to discuss and debate various issues affecting society. They provide a forum for different perspectives to be heard and considered.

2. To present these views to the government:
Political parties act as intermediaries between the people and the government. They articulate the concerns and interests of the public, presenting them to the government through policy proposals, debates, and discussions in legislative bodies.

3. To provide a mechanism to support or restrain the government:
Political parties play a crucial role in supporting or restraining the actions of the government. Through their participation in elections and legislative processes, parties can either endorse government policies or offer opposition, holding the ruling party accountable for its decisions.

4. All of the above:
By performing these functions, political parties contribute to the functioning of a democracy by ensuring that diverse voices are represented, facilitating governance through informed decision-making, and maintaining a system of checks and balances on government power.
Overall, the primary function of political parties in a democracy is to foster political participation, promote dialogue and debate, and ultimately, ensure that the government remains responsive and accountable to the people.