Party System | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

The Indian party system is distinct and does not conform to typical classifications generally used to categorize party systems. This uniqueness stems from the particular characteristics of Indian politics and the relationship between the state and society. Over the past two decades, there have been significant shifts in both the political landscape and the state-society relationship.

A crucial aspect of this change is evident in the increased politicization of a larger number of people, particularly those from less privileged sections of society. This has also led to alterations in the nature of the Indian party system. The defining features of the party system in the first two decades following India's independence are no longer apparent today. To comprehend the current state of the party system, it is essential to examine its historical development and consider its political rationale within the evolving state-society relationship.

Nature of Party System - First Two Decades After Independence

The party system in India during the first two decades after independence was characterized by the dominant role of the Indian National Congress (INC). This dominant party system was marked by the presence of multiple parties, with the INC occupying a central position in the political landscape.

• Evolution from Political Centre: The party system in India evolved from an identifiable political centre, which was formed during the nationalist movement. This political centre consisted of the political elite, who shared a common socio-economic background. The Indian National Congress emerged as the institutional manifestation of this political centre and played a crucial role in shaping the political system.
• Dominant Party System: Basic Characteristics: The dominant party system during the first two decades after independence was characterized by the overwhelming dominance of the INC. Despite the presence of other political parties, the INC occupied a central position in the political system due to its immense organizational strength and ability to capture a large number of seats in the Union Parliament and state legislatures.
• Dominance with Competition: Although the INC was the dominant party, there was still competition from other political parties. However, this competition did not effectively challenge the INC's dominant position. The opposition parties mainly played the role of pressuring and criticizing the ruling party.
• Congress as the Umbrella Party: The INC's ability to represent diverse social groups and interests allowed it to maintain its dominant position. It acted as a broad coalition that balanced different interests and absorbed dominant social elements. This accommodative and adaptive politics helped the INC to curb the role and relevance of opposition.
• Factionalism and Continuity between Congress and Opposition: The INC was characterized by the presence of various factions, some of which were ideologically closer to opposition parties. This continuity between the politics of the INC and opposition parties allowed the latter to put pressure on the INC and influence its decision-making process.
• Centrality of Congress: The centrality of the INC in Indian politics was reflected at various levels, including its monopolization of electoral politics, its position as a mediating institution between the state and society, and its pursuit of a centrist ideology while accommodating diverse ideological viewpoints.

In summary, the party system in India during the first two decades after independence was characterized by the dominant role of the Indian National Congress. The INC's ability to represent diverse social groups and interests, its centrality in the political landscape, and its accommodative and adaptive politics contributed to its unchallenged position of power. The opposition parties, while providing competition, were unable to effectively challenge the INC's dominance, and instead played the role of pressuring and criticizing the ruling party.

Change Socio-Economic Profile: Dislocation Political Centre

The change in India's party system since the 1960s can be attributed to the altered socio-economic and demographic profile of the country. This change resulted from the political mobilization of the masses and the rise of new political classes, particularly among the backward and lower castes. Increased political awareness and participation led to a demand for a share in political power, challenging the traditional political elite and causing the dislocation of the Congress party from its central position. The assertion of lower castes and Dalits led to the formation of parties representing their interests, such as the BSP, Samajwadi Party, and Janata Dal.

1. Political Mobilization of the Masses: The introduction of electoral politics and universal adult franchise increased political consciousness among Indians, particularly those belonging to backward and lower castes.
2. Emergence of New Political Classes: The rise of the proprietary peasant class in rural India led to the demand for political power by the land-owning, socially dominant sections of society, mainly belonging to the backward castes.
3. Challenging Traditional Political Elite: The entry of these castes into competitive power politics increased the number of those aspiring for power and challenged the domination of the traditional political elite.
4. Conflicting Interests and Dislocation of Congress: The new entrants brought their own demands and expectations to the political system, leading to a greater manifestation of conflicting interests and posing a serious threat to the consensual politics of the traditional elite, particularly the Congress party.
5. Assertion of Lower Castes and Dalits in Politics: The lower castes and Dalits initially participated in politics as clients of the locally dominant castes, but over time, their political mobilization became more autonomous, leading to the formation of parties reflecting their interests and support.
6. Formation of Caste-Based Political Parties: The emergence of parties such as the BSP, Samajwadi Party, and Janata Dal represented the interests of the newly mobilized Dalits and backward castes in the changed political landscape.

Party System After 1967

Key Changes and Developments

• Decline of Dominant Party System: The post-1967 period marked the beginning of the decline of the dominant party system, with increasing competition among opposition parties and the emergence of a market polity.
• Formation of Non-Congress Governments: The hegemony of the Congress party was challenged at the state level, with the formation of several non-Congress governments and the beginning of coalition politics.
• Internal Factionalism and Split of Congress: The Congress party experienced internal weakness with acute factionalism and dissidence, ultimately leading to a split in 1969, which had far-reaching consequences for the Indian party system.
• Decline of Consensual Model of Politics: The split in Congress led to a decline in the consensual model of Indian politics and the party system, with a shift towards a more centralized and pyramidal organizational structure, resulting in a weakening of the Congress party.
• Changing State-Society Relationship: The post-1967 period also saw changes in the state-society relationship, with new classes becoming more assertive and demanding a share in political power. This change in the context of elite politics contributed to the Congress party's electoral decline in several states.
• Emergence of Multi-Party System: The party system evolved from the dominance of a single party to a multi-party system, characterized by increased competitiveness and the entry of new political parties.
• Consolidation of Opposition Parties: The opposition parties consolidated their efforts against the Congress, with the formation of the Grand Alliance and later the Janata Party, which successfully challenged the Congress party's position of power in the central government for the first time in 1977.
• Weakening of Congress Party: The Congress party's position further declined post-1977, with its organizational structure weakened due to the lack of internal democracy and insensitivity towards the changing context of civil society. Although it remained a significant political force, its position of power was increasingly precarious.

Loss of Centrality of Congress and Emerging Party System

1. Decline of Congress as the Dominant Party: Since the 1989 parliamentary elections, the Congress party has lost its position of centrality in Indian politics. This implies that it is no longer the single dominant political party in India. Instead, several other political formations have emerged and gained prominence, such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Left Parties, and various national and regional parties. The central political space, which was once dominated by the Congress party, is now occupied by multiple political parties.
2. Inability to Represent a Consensus: The decline of the Congress party also signifies its inability to represent a consensus and accommodate various interests. As state-society relationships have changed and new interests have emerged, societal conflicts and contradictions have become more pronounced. The Congress party no longer possesses the central space necessary to defuse such conflicts, and its traditional methods of co-option or bargaining are no longer effective.
3. Absence of an Alternate National Party: The decline of the Congress party has not resulted in the emergence of an alternate national party that could occupy the central political space. While some analysts initially believed that the rise of the BJP in the 1980s could lead to a two-party system with direct competition between the Congress and the BJP, this has not materialized. The Congress party has continued to decline, and the BJP has not been able to attain a majority on its own.
4. Emergence of Smaller Parties and Coalition Governments: The failure of large national parties like the Congress and the BJP to secure a majority of seats in Parliament has given rise to numerous smaller parties in the Indian political landscape. These smaller parties have gained prominence as the larger parties have become increasingly dependent on them for the formation of governments. As a result, India has witnessed the emergence of minority coalition governments, such as the United Front in 1996, the BJP-led coalition in 1998, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 1999.

In conclusion, the loss of the centrality of the Congress party in Indian politics has led to the rise of multiple political parties and the formation of coalition governments. This shift has been driven by the decline of the Congress party as a dominant political force, its inability to represent a consensus, the absence of an alternate national party, and the emergence of smaller parties in the political landscape. The Indian political system has thus evolved from a single party dominant system to a more complex multi-party system.

Contemporary Party System - Party System at the Central Level

1. Party System at the Central Level:

• The current party system consists of multiple political parties, with their numbers increasing since 1989.
• The system is competitive, with the possibility of alternation between groups of parties rather than individual parties.
• The politics of alliance has led to the formation of electoral alliances among various parties to contest elections and form governments.
• Alliances are now based on pre-poll agreements and the drafting of common minimum programs.
• The contemporary party system reflects the complexity and heterogeneity of Indian society, with diverse political interests and opinions.
• The party system has a federalized context, with regional parties playing a crucial role in national politics.
• The regional parties have helped create a more democratic political space and have led to a shift in the center-state relations, providing a basis for a more egalitarian relationship between the center and the states.

2. Party System at the State Level:

• The federal context of the party system highlights the complexity of the relationship between national and state-level party systems.
• Party politics at the state level varies across states, with some having a two-party system, others having a bipolar system, and some having a multiparty system.
• There is fluidity in party politics at the state level, with variations in the nature of party competition and the presence of regional and national parties.
• Some states have a strong tradition of regional parties, while others have competition mainly between national parties or a mix of national and regional parties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Indian political landscape has significantly changed from a single dominant party system to a more complex and diverse multi-party system. This transformation is characterized by the decline of the Congress party, the emergence of multiple political parties and alliances, and the increasing importance of regional parties in both the central and state levels. The contemporary party system reflects the heterogeneity of Indian society and has led to a more democratic and competitive political environment, accommodating various interests and opinions. Furthermore, the federal context of the party system has shifted the center-state relations towards a more egalitarian relationship, thus highlighting the evolving nature of Indian politics.