Page 1
Political Parties
Exercise
Q. 1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
When people come together and participate in electoral process, to acquire
political power, such organisations are called .............
A. Government
B. Society
C. Political parties
D. Social organizations
Answer : Note: When people come together and participate in electoral process, to
acquire political power, such organisations are called Political parties. It’s a social
organization with a political ideology and agenda.
Q. 1. B. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
National Conference is a party in............ State.
A. Orissa
B. Assam
C. Bihar
D. Jammu and Kashmir
Answer : Note: National Conference is a party in Jammu and Kashmir State.
Q. 1. C. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into .......... Political
Party.
A. Assam Gan Parishad
B. Shivsena
C. Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam
D. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference
Answer : Note: Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into Dravid
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Political Party. It is a regional party in the state of Tamil
Nadu.
Q. 2. A. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Page 2
Political Parties
Exercise
Q. 1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
When people come together and participate in electoral process, to acquire
political power, such organisations are called .............
A. Government
B. Society
C. Political parties
D. Social organizations
Answer : Note: When people come together and participate in electoral process, to
acquire political power, such organisations are called Political parties. It’s a social
organization with a political ideology and agenda.
Q. 1. B. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
National Conference is a party in............ State.
A. Orissa
B. Assam
C. Bihar
D. Jammu and Kashmir
Answer : Note: National Conference is a party in Jammu and Kashmir State.
Q. 1. C. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into .......... Political
Party.
A. Assam Gan Parishad
B. Shivsena
C. Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam
D. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference
Answer : Note: Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into Dravid
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Political Party. It is a regional party in the state of Tamil
Nadu.
Q. 2. A. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties act as a link between government and people.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties act as a link between government and people. They
communicate the demands and the complaints of the people to their elected
representatives in the government. The government, on the other hand, tries to get
support of the people for its policies through the political parties.
Q. 2. B. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties are social organisations.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties are social organizations which the objective to attaining power,
winning elections and forming the government. Political parties have an ideology and
agenda towards achieving their social goals through electoral politics.
Q. 2. C. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Coalition politics leads to instability.
Answer : False.
Reason: Coalition politics has lead to stability in India after long years of dominant rule
of the Congress party. Since there are many stakeholders to the power, coalitions
governments have proved to be success stories of democratic political process in our
country.
Q. 2. D. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Shiromani Akali Dal is a national party.
Answer : False
Reason: Shiromani Akali Dal is a regional party in Punjab. It was established in 1920
and has enjoyed power in the state of Punjab for many years. It has the current
government in Punjab under the leadership of Prakash Singh Badal.
Page 3
Political Parties
Exercise
Q. 1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
When people come together and participate in electoral process, to acquire
political power, such organisations are called .............
A. Government
B. Society
C. Political parties
D. Social organizations
Answer : Note: When people come together and participate in electoral process, to
acquire political power, such organisations are called Political parties. It’s a social
organization with a political ideology and agenda.
Q. 1. B. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
National Conference is a party in............ State.
A. Orissa
B. Assam
C. Bihar
D. Jammu and Kashmir
Answer : Note: National Conference is a party in Jammu and Kashmir State.
Q. 1. C. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into .......... Political
Party.
A. Assam Gan Parishad
B. Shivsena
C. Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam
D. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference
Answer : Note: Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into Dravid
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Political Party. It is a regional party in the state of Tamil
Nadu.
Q. 2. A. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties act as a link between government and people.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties act as a link between government and people. They
communicate the demands and the complaints of the people to their elected
representatives in the government. The government, on the other hand, tries to get
support of the people for its policies through the political parties.
Q. 2. B. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties are social organisations.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties are social organizations which the objective to attaining power,
winning elections and forming the government. Political parties have an ideology and
agenda towards achieving their social goals through electoral politics.
Q. 2. C. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Coalition politics leads to instability.
Answer : False.
Reason: Coalition politics has lead to stability in India after long years of dominant rule
of the Congress party. Since there are many stakeholders to the power, coalitions
governments have proved to be success stories of democratic political process in our
country.
Q. 2. D. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Shiromani Akali Dal is a national party.
Answer : False
Reason: Shiromani Akali Dal is a regional party in Punjab. It was established in 1920
and has enjoyed power in the state of Punjab for many years. It has the current
government in Punjab under the leadership of Prakash Singh Badal.
Q. 3. A. Explain the following concepts.
Regionalism
Answer : Regionalism can be simply put as the feeling of affinity among people of a
particular region, unified with a common language. It’s an identity consciousness
associated with language, literature, traditions and cultural movements and gave rise to
the development of linguistic identities in modern India. Over the years, regionalism has
become problematic vis- ? -vis development of a region and the feeling that only people
belonging to that particular region have the sole claim resources and employment
opportunities. In such divided political environment, many regional political parties have
mushroomed in various parts of the country to voice the concerns of the people in their
region.
E.g. Shiv Sena (Maharastra), Shiromani Akali Dal (Punjab), Assam Gan Parishad
(Assam) etc.
Q. 3. B. Explain the following concepts.
National Parties
Answer : The political parties that secure a minimum of 6% valid votes in four (or more)
States in the Loksabha or State Assembly elections and has minimum of its 4 elected
members in the Loksabha, are recogised as National Parties. E.g. Indian National
Congress (INC), Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI).
Another criteria for recognition as a National Parties mandates that the candidates of a
party should be elected from minimum of 2% of total Loksabha constituency and
minimum of 3 states.
Q. 4. A. Answer the following questions in brief.
What are the major characteristics of political parties?
Answer : The major characteristics of political parties are:
1. To attain power
It is the main objective of all political parties. They compete with each other for the
same; there is nothing wrong with objective of gaining power as long as the competition
is fair.
2. To pursue an ideology
Page 4
Political Parties
Exercise
Q. 1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
When people come together and participate in electoral process, to acquire
political power, such organisations are called .............
A. Government
B. Society
C. Political parties
D. Social organizations
Answer : Note: When people come together and participate in electoral process, to
acquire political power, such organisations are called Political parties. It’s a social
organization with a political ideology and agenda.
Q. 1. B. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
National Conference is a party in............ State.
A. Orissa
B. Assam
C. Bihar
D. Jammu and Kashmir
Answer : Note: National Conference is a party in Jammu and Kashmir State.
Q. 1. C. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into .......... Political
Party.
A. Assam Gan Parishad
B. Shivsena
C. Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam
D. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference
Answer : Note: Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into Dravid
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Political Party. It is a regional party in the state of Tamil
Nadu.
Q. 2. A. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties act as a link between government and people.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties act as a link between government and people. They
communicate the demands and the complaints of the people to their elected
representatives in the government. The government, on the other hand, tries to get
support of the people for its policies through the political parties.
Q. 2. B. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties are social organisations.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties are social organizations which the objective to attaining power,
winning elections and forming the government. Political parties have an ideology and
agenda towards achieving their social goals through electoral politics.
Q. 2. C. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Coalition politics leads to instability.
Answer : False.
Reason: Coalition politics has lead to stability in India after long years of dominant rule
of the Congress party. Since there are many stakeholders to the power, coalitions
governments have proved to be success stories of democratic political process in our
country.
Q. 2. D. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Shiromani Akali Dal is a national party.
Answer : False
Reason: Shiromani Akali Dal is a regional party in Punjab. It was established in 1920
and has enjoyed power in the state of Punjab for many years. It has the current
government in Punjab under the leadership of Prakash Singh Badal.
Q. 3. A. Explain the following concepts.
Regionalism
Answer : Regionalism can be simply put as the feeling of affinity among people of a
particular region, unified with a common language. It’s an identity consciousness
associated with language, literature, traditions and cultural movements and gave rise to
the development of linguistic identities in modern India. Over the years, regionalism has
become problematic vis- ? -vis development of a region and the feeling that only people
belonging to that particular region have the sole claim resources and employment
opportunities. In such divided political environment, many regional political parties have
mushroomed in various parts of the country to voice the concerns of the people in their
region.
E.g. Shiv Sena (Maharastra), Shiromani Akali Dal (Punjab), Assam Gan Parishad
(Assam) etc.
Q. 3. B. Explain the following concepts.
National Parties
Answer : The political parties that secure a minimum of 6% valid votes in four (or more)
States in the Loksabha or State Assembly elections and has minimum of its 4 elected
members in the Loksabha, are recogised as National Parties. E.g. Indian National
Congress (INC), Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI).
Another criteria for recognition as a National Parties mandates that the candidates of a
party should be elected from minimum of 2% of total Loksabha constituency and
minimum of 3 states.
Q. 4. A. Answer the following questions in brief.
What are the major characteristics of political parties?
Answer : The major characteristics of political parties are:
1. To attain power
It is the main objective of all political parties. They compete with each other for the
same; there is nothing wrong with objective of gaining power as long as the competition
is fair.
2. To pursue an ideology
A party’s stand on certain social issues defines its ideology. In modern times, most
political parties have similar ideologies which make it difficult for the common voter to
decide whom to support.
3. To have a common agenda
On basis of their ideologies, parties prepare their agendas. They aim to garner public
support for their agenda in other to win elections and implement them.
4. To establish a government
The political party which gets majority of votes in the elections forms the government;
the parties with lesser votes form the opposition.
5. To act as a link between people & the government.
Political parties are the connecting link between people and the government. They
communicate the demands and the complaints of the people to the elected leaders and
on the other hand, the government tries to get support of the people for its policies and
programmes through the channel of political parties.
Q. 4. B. Answer the following questions in brief.
What changes have taken place in the nature of political parties in India?
Answer : Three major phases that have marked the changing nature of political parties
in India are:
1. Single dominant party system
After independence, the Congress was the single most power political party in the
country. It had government both the centre and most regional states for a long time.
2. Challenge to the Single dominant party system
In 1977, in the spirit of democracy, the non-Congress parties come together to
challenge the single party dominance. Congress lost elections at the centre owing to the
anti-decentralisation policies of Indira Gandhi followed during the emergency years
(1975-77) and various regional parties took this opportunity to mark their foothold in
regional politics.
3. The Coalition Government
After 1989 General Elections, no single party could achieve a defining major to form the
government at centre. Hence, different parties came together to form coalition
governments. Contrary to popular believes, the coalition system of government has
Page 5
Political Parties
Exercise
Q. 1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
When people come together and participate in electoral process, to acquire
political power, such organisations are called .............
A. Government
B. Society
C. Political parties
D. Social organizations
Answer : Note: When people come together and participate in electoral process, to
acquire political power, such organisations are called Political parties. It’s a social
organization with a political ideology and agenda.
Q. 1. B. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
National Conference is a party in............ State.
A. Orissa
B. Assam
C. Bihar
D. Jammu and Kashmir
Answer : Note: National Conference is a party in Jammu and Kashmir State.
Q. 1. C. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the
sentences.
Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into .......... Political
Party.
A. Assam Gan Parishad
B. Shivsena
C. Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam
D. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference
Answer : Note: Justice Party - a non-Brahmin movement was transformed into Dravid
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Political Party. It is a regional party in the state of Tamil
Nadu.
Q. 2. A. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties act as a link between government and people.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties act as a link between government and people. They
communicate the demands and the complaints of the people to their elected
representatives in the government. The government, on the other hand, tries to get
support of the people for its policies through the political parties.
Q. 2. B. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Political parties are social organisations.
Answer : True.
Reason: Political parties are social organizations which the objective to attaining power,
winning elections and forming the government. Political parties have an ideology and
agenda towards achieving their social goals through electoral politics.
Q. 2. C. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Coalition politics leads to instability.
Answer : False.
Reason: Coalition politics has lead to stability in India after long years of dominant rule
of the Congress party. Since there are many stakeholders to the power, coalitions
governments have proved to be success stories of democratic political process in our
country.
Q. 2. D. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for
your answer.
Shiromani Akali Dal is a national party.
Answer : False
Reason: Shiromani Akali Dal is a regional party in Punjab. It was established in 1920
and has enjoyed power in the state of Punjab for many years. It has the current
government in Punjab under the leadership of Prakash Singh Badal.
Q. 3. A. Explain the following concepts.
Regionalism
Answer : Regionalism can be simply put as the feeling of affinity among people of a
particular region, unified with a common language. It’s an identity consciousness
associated with language, literature, traditions and cultural movements and gave rise to
the development of linguistic identities in modern India. Over the years, regionalism has
become problematic vis- ? -vis development of a region and the feeling that only people
belonging to that particular region have the sole claim resources and employment
opportunities. In such divided political environment, many regional political parties have
mushroomed in various parts of the country to voice the concerns of the people in their
region.
E.g. Shiv Sena (Maharastra), Shiromani Akali Dal (Punjab), Assam Gan Parishad
(Assam) etc.
Q. 3. B. Explain the following concepts.
National Parties
Answer : The political parties that secure a minimum of 6% valid votes in four (or more)
States in the Loksabha or State Assembly elections and has minimum of its 4 elected
members in the Loksabha, are recogised as National Parties. E.g. Indian National
Congress (INC), Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI).
Another criteria for recognition as a National Parties mandates that the candidates of a
party should be elected from minimum of 2% of total Loksabha constituency and
minimum of 3 states.
Q. 4. A. Answer the following questions in brief.
What are the major characteristics of political parties?
Answer : The major characteristics of political parties are:
1. To attain power
It is the main objective of all political parties. They compete with each other for the
same; there is nothing wrong with objective of gaining power as long as the competition
is fair.
2. To pursue an ideology
A party’s stand on certain social issues defines its ideology. In modern times, most
political parties have similar ideologies which make it difficult for the common voter to
decide whom to support.
3. To have a common agenda
On basis of their ideologies, parties prepare their agendas. They aim to garner public
support for their agenda in other to win elections and implement them.
4. To establish a government
The political party which gets majority of votes in the elections forms the government;
the parties with lesser votes form the opposition.
5. To act as a link between people & the government.
Political parties are the connecting link between people and the government. They
communicate the demands and the complaints of the people to the elected leaders and
on the other hand, the government tries to get support of the people for its policies and
programmes through the channel of political parties.
Q. 4. B. Answer the following questions in brief.
What changes have taken place in the nature of political parties in India?
Answer : Three major phases that have marked the changing nature of political parties
in India are:
1. Single dominant party system
After independence, the Congress was the single most power political party in the
country. It had government both the centre and most regional states for a long time.
2. Challenge to the Single dominant party system
In 1977, in the spirit of democracy, the non-Congress parties come together to
challenge the single party dominance. Congress lost elections at the centre owing to the
anti-decentralisation policies of Indira Gandhi followed during the emergency years
(1975-77) and various regional parties took this opportunity to mark their foothold in
regional politics.
3. The Coalition Government
After 1989 General Elections, no single party could achieve a defining major to form the
government at centre. Hence, different parties came together to form coalition
governments. Contrary to popular believes, the coalition system of government has
been a successful practice in India. Owing the multiple stakeholders in the government,
the decision making process has been gradual but it is important to note that various
regional concerns have found a voice at national stage, thus strengthening the
democracy.
Project
Q. 1. In a map of Maharashtra, point out the Loksabha constituency that includes
the names of your parents.
Answer : Pune is one of the Loksabha constituency that includes the name of my
parents.
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