Test: Political Parties - UPSC MCQ

Political parties are voluntary associations or organized groups of individuals who share the same political views, try to gain political power through constitutional means, and work to promote the national interest.

The Indian party system is characterized by a multi-party system, one-dominant party system, lack of clear ideology, and being based on traditional factors.

A party is recognised as a National Party a fulfil the following conditions

• If it secures 6 % of the valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly. 
• If it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha for many states.
• If it wins 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election.
• Being recognised as a national party means a party is entitled to a reserved symbol for its candidates contesting from across the country. 

A party is recognized as a state party in a state if it fulfills any of the mentioned conditions.

In a democracy, political parties provide an agency to gather different views on various issues, present these views to the government, and provide a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them.

• At present, there are eight national political parties in India. They are;

1. Bharatiya Janata Party
2. Communist Party of India
3. Communist Party of India (Marxist)
4. Indian National Congress
5. Nationalist Congress Party
6. National People’s Party
7. All India Trinamool Congress
8. Bahujan Samaj Party

National parties are recognized by the Election Commission as having a presence in multiple states, while state parties are recognized as having a presence in only one state.

Regional parties in India have risen due to factors such as identity, statehood, autonomy, and development.

The Indian party system transitioned to a multi-party system during the period of 1977-80, with the emergence of the Janata Party-led coalition.

Coalition politics became prominent in India during the period of 1989-2014, with the development of the multi-party system and the necessity for national parties to form alliances with state parties.