Political Parties Class 10 Worksheet Civics Chapter 1

Q1: How many parties are registered with the Election Commission of India?
(a) 250
(b) 300
(c) 500
(d) More than 750
Ans: (d)
There are a large number of political parties in each country. More than 750 parties are registered with the Election Commission of India.

Q2: What is a signed document submitted to an officer regarding her personal information?
(a) Affidavit
(b) Declaration
(c) Agreement
(d) Appeal
Ans: (a)
An affidavit is a signed document submitted to an officer, where a person makes a sworn statement regarding her personal information.

Q3: Which of these statements is incorrect about CPI (M)?
(a) Supports socialism, secularism and democracy
(b) Opposes imperialism and communalism
(c) Wants to secure socio-economic justice in India
(d) None of the above
Ans: (d) 
CPI(M) supports socialism, secularism and democracy and opposes imperialism and communalism. Accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for securing the objective of socio- economic justice in India.

Q4: Who chooses the candidates for contesting elections in India?
(a) Members and supporters of the party
(b) Top party leadership
(c) The existing government
(d) None of these
Ans: (b)
In other countries like India, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.

Q5: When and under whose leadership was Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) formed?
(a) 1982, Mayawati
(b) 1984, Kanshi Ram
(c) 1985, Mulayam Singh Yadav
(d) 1986, Bhajanlal
Ans: (b) 1984, Kanshi Ram
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. Seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj which includes the dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.

Q6: When was the BJP founded?
(a) 1960
(b) 1970
(c) 1980
(d) 1990
Ans: (c)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Q7: How many recognised national parties were there in 2006?
(a) 5
(b) 6
(c) 7
(d) 8
Ans: (b)
According to the classification, there were six national recognised parties in the country in 2006

Q8: What are the parties which are given the special privilege of ‘election symbol’ and other facilities?
(a) ‘Identified’ by the Election Commission
(b) ‘Recognised’ by the Election Commission
(c) ‘Patronised’ by the Election Commission
(d) ‘Attached’ by the Election Commission
Ans: (b)
Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are ‘recognised’ by the Election Commission for this purpose. That’s why these parties are called, ‘recognised political parties’.

Q 9: Which of these alliances were there in 2004 parliamentary elections in India?
(a) National Democratic Alliance
(b) The United Progressive Alliance
(c) Left Front
(d) All the above
Ans: (d)
In India there were three such major alliances in 2004 parliamentary elections– the National Democratic Alliance, the United Progressive Alliance and the Left Front.

Q10: Which of these is not a good option for a democratic state?
(a) One-party system
(b) Two-party system
(c) Multi-party system
(d) None of the above
Ans: (a)
We cannot consider one-party system as a good option because this is not a democratic option. Any democratic system must allow at least two parties to compete in elections and provide a fair chance for the competing parties to come to power.

Assertions and Reasons
Q1: Two statements are given in the Q below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion: It is mandatory for every candidate who contests election to file an AFFIDAVIT .
Reason: The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true
Ans: A

Q2: Two statements are given in the Q below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion: Political parties are easily one of the most visible institutions in a democracy.
Reason: For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true
Ans: A

Q3: Two statements are given in the Q below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion:- China doesn’t follow One party system
Reason:- In China only the communist party is allowed to rule
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true
Ans: D

Q4: Two statements are given in the Q below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion A : Only those parties that are recognised as national parties can contest in elections for Parliament
Reason R : Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true
Ans: D

Q5: Two statements are given in the Q below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion: India has evolved a multiparty system.
Reason: It is because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true
Ans: A

Very Short Answer Type Question
Q1: Name the regional party of Tamil Nadu along with its symbol.
Ans: The regional party of Tamil Nadu is All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its symbol is Two Leaves.

Q2: Define regional parties.
Ans: The parties which are able to succeed in one or some states are called state or regional parties.

Q3: At what level non-party based elections are held in India?
Ans: Non-party based elections in India are held for panchayats, the very grassroot level.

Q4: Discuss the role of opposition parties in democracy.
Ans: Opposition parties criticise the government for its faulty policies and failures in this way , it plays the role of a watchdog for keeping the ruling parties on track.

Q5: Name the regional party of Odisha along with its symbol.
Ans: The regional party of Odisha is Biju Janata Dal and its symbol is Sea Shell.

Q6: Explain the term ‘defection’.
Ans: Defection refers to shifting loyalty from one party to another from where a person got elected.

Q7: Suggest any one way to make political parties more responsive to the people’s need and demand.
Ans: If citizens of a nation protest peacefully and put their demands before political parties directly after being unite at mass level than obviously the parties will be more responsive to their demands.

Q8: Correct the following statement and rewrite:
In a dictatorship, “any group of citizens is free to form a political party”.
Ans: In a democracy, any group of citizens is free to form a political party.

 Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Do you think that ordinary citizens have any role in reforming political parties? Explain how?
Ans: Yes ordinary citizens play a vital role in reforming political parties. People can pressurise political parties by putting forward petitions or by protesting through agitations. Mass media can serve a significant instrument for presenting the views of ordinary citizens. However, simple criticism without any concrete step can't bring about any change.

Q2: Why do we need political parties ?
Ans: We need political parties due to the following reasons :
(i) It helps in ensuring the formation of a responsive and accountable government.
(ii) It helps in ensuring that the government will run as per the set ideologies and policies for common welfare.
(iii) If political parties are not present, independent candidates will be responsible for their own constituencies, but administration of the entire country will be ignored.

Q3: Explain any three functions of opposition political parties.
Ans: The Opposition's main role is to Q the government of the day to day work and hold them accountable to the public welfare. In legislature, the Opposition Party has a major role and must act to discourage the party in power from acting against the interests of the country and the common man. They hustle to present themselves as a suitable alternative government.
Following are the three functions of opposition parties:
(i) hey Q the ruling government and make them accountable to the public.
(ii) Their role is to ensure that the government should not take any step which is against the interest of the public.
(iii) Their duty is to check and ensure that the action of the ruling party is for the benefit of the masses and to support the government in such things. They, thus, facilitate formation of public opinion and are a way in which the schemes of government are checked and communicated to the public.

Q4: What is meant by a national political party? State the conditions required to be a national political party.
Ans: National political parties are nationwide parties with their units in many states, with all the units following the same policies, programmes and strategies decided at the national level. The conditions required to be a national political party in India are as follows:
(i) To get at least 6% of total votes in the Lok Sabha elections of the country or Assembly elections in at least four States.
(ii) To win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Long Answer Type Questions
Q1: Discuss the different kinds of party systems.
Ans: Different kinds of party systems are as follows:
(i) One-party system: One-party system is one in which only one party controls and runs the government. However, it is undemocratic as there is no competition. Voters don't have any option but to vote for or against the candidates who are nominated from a single party. It is prevalent in communist countries like South Korea, China and Cuba.
(ii) Two-party system: Two-party system is one in which power shifts only between two major parties. There may be some other parties, which can contest and win a few seats in the national legislatures but the chance of winning the elections remains with the two main parties getting majority seats. It is found in countries like the United States of America, Canada and United Kingdom.
(iii) Multi-party system: Multi-party system is one in which more than two parties contest for the election and have a chance of winning. In case no party wins a clear-cut majority, several parties join to form a coalition government. However, such a system is to be chaotic and a source of political instability. It is found in India and France.

Q2: When was the BSP formed and under the leadership of whom? What are its main policies?
Ans: The BSP was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. It formed government in Uttar Pradesh numerous times by getting support of various parties at different times. In the Lok Sabha elections of 2004, it won about five per cent votes and was able to secure nineteen seats in the Lok Sabha. Its main policies are as follows:
(i) It aims at representing and securing power for the Bahujan Samaj, i.e., for the dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.
(ii) It is inspired by the ideologies and teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker, Mahatma Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar.
(iii) It aims at the welfare of the dalits and other oppressed sections of the society.
(iv) It is mainly concentrated in Uttar Pradesh and has significant presence in neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Punjab.

Q3: What do you think about the role of opposition in maintaining an efficient democratic system?
Ans: Opposition parties help in maintaining an efficient democratic system in the following ways:
(i) Opposition parties help in mobilising opposition against the ruling party.
(ii) It criticises the government for its faulty policies and failures.
(iii) In this way, it plays the role of a watchdog for keeping the working of the ruling party on the track.
(iv) It creates awareness among the people regarding issues of national importance and infuses political consciousness among them.
(v) It plays a very significant role in a democracy as the representatives of those people who approach them for safeguarding their interests.

Q4: Why do not parties give enough tickets to women? Is that also due to lack of internal democracy?
Ans: Patriarchal system prevails in Indian society and man folks want to establish their authority everywhere and politics is not an exception. Giving tickets to women candidates will mean that the power will come in the hands of women which is not desirable. Yes, it is an example of lack of internal democracy as equal opportunities are denied within a party. At least one-third of the seats should be given to woman candidates.

Q5: Do the voters really don’t get a meaningful choice ?
Ans: The statement means that the voters are not able to get options as there is little ideological differences between the parties and all the parties are mainly concerned with their own selfish motives. For giving meaningful choices to citizens, political parties should significantly differ from each other. Many times, those who want to come up with different policies are suppressed through the dirty game of politics, or lack resources to bring about any significant change. Moreover, many times people are not able to select a different set of leaders as they keep upon shifting form one party to another.

Q6: Discuss the main policies of the INC.
OR
When was Indian National congress Party formed? Discuss its major policies.
Ans: INC or Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. It emerged as the largest party in India in 2004, with 145 members in the Lok Sabha elections. Presently, it is the main opposition party in the Lok Sabha. Its major policies are as follows:
(i) Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, INC wanted India to become a modern, secular and democratic republic party.
(ii) It maintains its presence throughout the country by cutting across social divisions, in spite of its rises and falls.
(iii) It is a centrist party in its ideological orientation,i.e.,neither rightist nor leftist.
(iv) It aims at promoting secularism and upliftment of the weaker sections and minorities.
(v) It supports new economic reforms, and has a humanitarian approach.

Q7: Suggest and explain any five measures to reform political parties.
OR
Elucidate some of the recent efforts taken in India to reform political parties and its leaders.
Ans: Some of the recent efforts taken in our country to reform political parties and its leaders are as follows:
(i) Our constitution has been amended to prevent changing of parties by elected MPs and MLAs. Legally, those MLAs and MPs who attempt defection will lose the seats in the legislature.
(ii) The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the effect of money and criminals. It is compulsory for a candidate desirous of contesting for elections to provide an affidavit about his/her property details and criminal cases pending against him/her.
(iii) Political parties should give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third to women candidates for the proper representation.
(iv) The Election Commission passed an order which makes it mandatory for political parties to hold their organisational elections. The Election Commission also made it mandatory for all political parties to file their income tax returns.
(v) State should provide funds and resources for supporting the election expenses. This will help in reducing the influence of muscle and money power in elections.

Q8: State the various functions that Political parties perform in a democracy.
Ans: 1.1.Parties contest elections
2 Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.
3 Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
4 Parties form and run governments
5 Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition
6 Parties shape public opinion.
7 Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments

Q9: What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Ans: 1. Lack of internal democracy within parties
2. Dynastic succession.
3. Growing role of money and muscle power in parties,
4.Lack of meaningful choice to the voters

Q10: Lack of internal democracy within parties is a major challenge to political parties all over the world. How far do you agree with it?
Ans: The power is concentrated in one or few leaders at the top parties do not keep membership registers parties do not hold organizational meetings they do not conduct internal elections regularly ordinary members do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party.