Test: Political Parties - 3 - Class 10 MCQ

UPA stands for United Progressive Alliance.
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a political coalition in India. It was formed in 2004 after the general elections and lasted until 2014 when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came into power. Here is a detailed explanation of what UPA stands for and its significance:
1. United Progressive Alliance:
- UPA stands for United Progressive Alliance.
- It is a coalition of political parties in India that came together to form a government.
2. Formation:
- The UPA was formed after the 2004 general elections when no single party was able to secure a majority.
- The Indian National Congress (INC) emerged as the largest party, and it formed a coalition with other like-minded parties.
3. Political Parties:
- The UPA consists of several political parties, with the Indian National Congress being the major party.
- Other parties that have been part of the UPA include the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and more.
4. Government Formation:
- After the 2004 elections, the UPA formed the government with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister.
- Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister for two consecutive terms.
5. Policies and Reforms:
- The UPA government implemented several policies and reforms during its tenure.
- It introduced social welfare programs like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Right to Information Act (RTI), and Right to Education Act (RTE).
- The UPA also focused on economic reforms, including the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
6. Criticisms and Challenges:
- The UPA government faced criticism for issues like corruption scandals, inflation, and policy paralysis.
- It also faced challenges in managing coalition politics and maintaining a consensus among the different parties.
7. End of UPA:
- The UPA government's tenure ended in 2014 after the general elections, where the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came into power.
- The UPA continues to be an important political alliance in India, with its member parties actively participating in national and state politics.
Conclusion:
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a political coalition in India that was formed after the 2004 general elections. It consists of several political parties, with the Indian National Congress being the major party. The UPA government implemented various policies and reforms during its tenure, focusing on social welfare and economic development. However, it also faced criticisms and challenges. The UPA's tenure ended in 2014, and it continues to play a significant role in Indian politics.

Answer:
Introduction:
When a group of people come together with the common goal of attaining power, they form a collective entity. This entity could be referred to by various terms, but in this case, the correct answer is a political party.
Explanation:
1. Political Party:
- A political party is an organized group of people who share similar political beliefs and ideologies.
- They come together to gain political power, influence policy decisions, and govern a country or region.
- Political parties aim to represent the interests and aspirations of their members and supporters.
- They organize themselves through a structured hierarchy, with leaders and members working towards achieving their common goals.
2. Interest Group:
- While interest groups also work towards a common aim, they typically focus on specific policy issues rather than seeking political power.
- Interest groups represent the interests of a particular segment of society, such as trade unions, advocacy organizations, or professional associations.
- They aim to influence decision-making processes and promote specific policy changes.
- Interest groups may support political parties or candidates that align with their interests, but they do not necessarily seek power themselves.
3. Political Leadership:
- Political leadership refers to individuals who hold positions of power within the political system.
- They may be members of a political party or independent actors.
- Political leaders provide direction, make decisions, and implement policies.
- While they can influence and shape the direction of a party or a country, they are not synonymous with a group of people coming together.
4. Factional Group:
- A factional group refers to a subset or faction within a larger organization or political party.
- These groups usually have distinct beliefs, objectives, or strategies compared to the broader organization.
- Factional groups often compete for influence and power within the organization, but they are not an accurate description of a group of people coming together to attain power.
Conclusion:
In summary, when a group of people forms an organized entity with the primary aim of attaining power, they are known as a political party. While interest groups, political leadership, and factional groups may also come together for various purposes, none of them fully capture the concept of a group striving for power.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is an right-wing Sikh-centric state political party in Punjab, India.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is a communist political party in India that adheres to Marxist–Leninist philosophy. It is one of the national parties of India. The party emerged from a split from the Communist Party of India in 1964.

Large scale societies need representative democracy.  As societies became large and complex, they also needed some agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government. They needed some way to bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed. They needed a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them. Political parties fulfill these needs that every representative government has.

C is the correct option.In politics, a two-party system is a party system in which two major political parties dominate the political landscape.

As of April 2015, there are 11 states that are ruled by a single party: China (Communist party, 8 registered minor parties) Democratic People's Republic of Korea (AKA- North Korea) (Korean Workers' Party) - 2 minor parties that exist on paper only. Equatorial Guinea (Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea).

Countries with Bi-party system:

• England: England has a bi-party system, with the two major parties being the Conservative Party and the Labour Party.

Other countries mentioned:

• India: India does not have a bi-party system. It has a multi-party system with several national and regional parties.


• France: France does not have a bi-party system. It has a multi-party system with multiple political parties competing for power.


• Pakistan: Pakistan does not have a bi-party system. It has a multi-party system with several political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

The only country from the given options that has a bi-party system is England. Both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party are the major political parties in England, and they dominate the political landscape. However, it is important to note that this answer may change over time as political systems evolve and new parties emerge.

To be recognized as a national party, a political party must meet two criteria:
1. 6% of total votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in four states:
- The party needs to secure at least 6% of the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in any four states.

2. Win at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha:
- The party must also win a minimum of 4 seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament.
Based on these criteria, the correct answer is option A: National Party.
The other options are incorrect:
- Option B: Regional Party: A regional party is a political party that operates within a specific region or state and focuses on issues relevant to that particular area.
- Option C: State Party: A state party is a political party that operates within a specific state and focuses on issues relevant to that state.
- Option D: Factional Party: A factional party refers to a political party that is divided into factions or groups based on differing ideologies or interests.
Therefore, option A: National Party is the correct answer.

Partisanship:
- Partisanship refers to the strong support or allegiance to a particular political party or group.
- It is characterized by a biased or one-sided approach towards political issues.
- The features of partisanship include:
- Inability to take a balanced view: Partisanship often leads individuals to have a strong bias towards their own party or group, making it difficult for them to consider alternative perspectives or engage in objective analysis.
- Similarity of views: Partisanship is often characterized by individuals who share similar political beliefs and ideologies, leading to a sense of unity and solidarity within the party or group.
- Represents the individual: Partisanship can be seen as a way for individuals to express their identity and values through their affiliation with a particular party or group.
- Therefore, the correct answer is A: Inability to take a balanced view.

B is the correct option.A partisan is a committed member of a political party or army. In multi-party systems, the term is used for politicians who strongly support their party's policies and are reluctant to compromise with their political opponents. STAUNCH means a committed party member.

A party recongnized by the Election Commission, that secures at least six percent of the total votes in Lok Sabha election in four or more States, is called National Party.
Eg: Congress, BJP.

• Indian parliament is based on the ideology of secularism.
• Secularism is an ideology that makes the state free of religious connections. 
• In such states, there is no religious authority and people live freely according to their religion. 
• In a secular state, all people belonging to different religions and ethnicity live under free rule.
   

Answer:
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) came to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Explanation:
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a political coalition in India, which was formed in 1998. It is composed of various political parties, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being the major party in the alliance. The NDA was formed with the aim of providing a stable and united government in India.
In the 1998 general elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party and formed a coalition government with the support of various regional parties. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a senior leader of the BJP, became the Prime Minister of India.
The BJP-led NDA government was in power from 1998 to 2004. During this period, several economic reforms and infrastructure development initiatives were undertaken. The government also conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran, which brought India into the global nuclear club.
In conclusion, the BJP came to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is Kanshi Ram.
Background:
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a political party in India that primarily represents the interests of marginalized and oppressed communities such as Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. It was founded with the aim of empowering these communities and working towards social justice and equality.
Founder:
Kanshi Ram, a prominent social reformer and political leader, is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). He was born on March 15, 1934, in Ropar district, Punjab. Kanshi Ram dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of the marginalized sections of society and challenging the dominant caste-based power structures.
Contributions:
Kanshi Ram played a crucial role in mobilizing the marginalized communities and building a strong political base for the Bahujan Samaj Party. Some of his significant contributions include:
- Mobilizing the Dalits and other oppressed sections of society to form a united political front.
- Advocating for reservations and affirmative action policies to uplift the marginalized communities.
- Promoting social and political empowerment through the formation of self-help groups and organizations.
- Organizing mass movements and protests to raise awareness about the issues faced by the marginalized communities.
- Building a strong party structure and expanding the party's reach across different states in India.
Legacy:
Kanshi Ram's vision and efforts have had a lasting impact on Indian politics. The Bahujan Samaj Party continues to be a significant political force, representing the interests of marginalized communities. Kanshi Ram's legacy is marked by his dedication to social justice, equality, and the empowerment of the oppressed sections of society.
Therefore, the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is Kanshi Ram.

Answer:
The main base of BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) is in Uttar Pradesh.
Explanation:
The BSP is a political party in India that primarily represents the interests of the Bahujan Samaj, which includes Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Here is a detailed explanation of the main base of BSP in Uttar Pradesh:
- Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh is the state where the BSP has its main base. It is the most populous state in India and has a significant population of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, which are the core supporters of the BSP.
- Political Influence: The BSP has a strong political influence in Uttar Pradesh and has been able to form governments in the state multiple times.
- Party Headquarters: The BSP's main headquarters is located in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. This further emphasizes the importance of the state in the party's operations.
- Key Leaders: Many key leaders of the BSP, including its founder Kanshi Ram and former Chief Minister Mayawati, hail from Uttar Pradesh, further strengthening the party's base in the state.
In conclusion, the main base of BSP is in Uttar Pradesh, where it has a significant political presence and a strong support base among the Bahujan Samaj.

Silvio Berlusconi is an Italian media tycoon and politician who has served as Prime Minister of Italy in four governments. Berlusconi is the controlling shareholder of Mediaset and owned the Italian football club A.C. Milan from 1986 to 2017.

Defection is an act of changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected (to a Legislative body) to a different party. Earlier it has been an important cause for the formation as well as fall of government. MLAs and MPs were indulging in defection in order to become ministers or for cash rewards. Later on the Constitution was amended and defection has been banned by passing ‘Anti Defection Law’.

Challenges faced by political parties:
There are several challenges that political parties face, and the given options highlight some of the key challenges. Let's discuss each of them in detail:
1. Lack of internal democracy:
- Political parties often struggle with maintaining internal democracy, which refers to the participation and decision-making power of party members.
- This challenge arises when party leaders or a small group of individuals dominate decision-making processes, limiting the voice and influence of other members.
- Lack of internal democracy can lead to dissatisfaction among party members, lack of accountability, and a disconnect between the party and its supporters.
2. Dynastic succession:
- Another challenge faced by political parties is the tendency of dynastic succession, where power is passed down within families.
- This practice can limit opportunities for new and deserving candidates, undermining meritocracy and hindering the growth and development of the party.
- Dynastic succession can also lead to a lack of fresh perspectives and ideas within the party, reducing its ability to adapt to changing circumstances and address the needs of the people effectively.
3. Growing role of money and muscle power:
- Political parties often face the challenge of the growing influence of money and muscle power in politics.
- Money power refers to the use of financial resources to gain an unfair advantage in elections, such as through funding campaigns or buying votes.
- Muscle power refers to the use of physical force, intimidation, or violence to manipulate the electoral process.
- These factors can undermine the democratic principles of fair competition and equal representation, leading to corruption, inequality, and a loss of public trust in the political system.
4. All of these:
- The correct answer is option D, as all of the challenges mentioned in options A to C are faced by political parties to varying degrees.
- Political parties need to address these challenges in order to strengthen their internal functioning, promote inclusivity and fairness, and restore public confidence in the political process.
In conclusion, political parties face various challenges, including the lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, and the growing role of money and muscle power. By addressing these challenges, parties can enhance their effectiveness, democratic values, and engagement with the public.

Explanation:
When a person elected to office changes their party affiliation, it is known as party defection. Here is a detailed explanation of the answer:
Party Defection:
Party defection refers to the act of changing party allegiance by an elected official. It can occur at any level of government, from local to national. Some politicians may choose to switch parties due to ideological differences, personal beliefs, or political strategy. Party defection can have significant consequences for both the individual and the political landscape.
Key Points:
- Party defection is the act of changing party allegiance by an elected official.
- It can occur at any level of government.
- Reasons for party defection may include ideological differences, personal beliefs, or political strategy.
- Party defection can have consequences for the individual and the political landscape.
Example:
- A politician who was elected as a member of one party may change their affiliation to another party during their term in office.
- This can result in shifts in power, changes in legislative priorities, and potential backlash from constituents.
Conclusion:
Party defection is the term used to describe the act of changing party allegiance by an elected official. It can have significant implications for both the individual and the political landscape.

Political parties in India have to register themselves with the Election Commission.
The process of registration is mandatory for political parties seeking recognition and participation in elections. Here is a detailed explanation of the registration process:
1. Purpose of registration:
- Political parties register themselves with the Election Commission to gain legal recognition and to be eligible to contest elections.
- Registration ensures that parties adhere to a set of guidelines and regulations while functioning.
2. Registration with the Election Commission:
- Political parties need to submit an application for registration to the Election Commission of India.
- The application should include details such as the party's name, symbol, aims, and objectives, as well as the organizational structure.
- The party must also submit a copy of its constitution and a list of members who are part of the party's executive body.
3. Verification process:
- The Election Commission verifies the application and examines if the party meets the criteria for registration.
- The commission checks if the party's aims and objectives are in line with the principles of the Indian Constitution.
- The commission also checks if the party's symbol is unique and does not resemble any other recognized party's symbol.
4. Granting of registration:
- If the Election Commission is satisfied with the party's application, it grants registration to the political party.
- Once registered, the party is provided with a unique registration number by the commission.
5. Benefits of registration:
- Registered political parties are entitled to certain privileges, including the use of a reserved symbol during elections.
- Registered parties have the right to contest elections and receive electoral benefits such as free airtime and access to electoral rolls.
- Registered parties are also required to submit financial reports and adhere to transparency and accountability standards.
In conclusion, political parties in India have to register themselves with the Election Commission to gain legal recognition and participate in elections. The registration process involves submitting an application with the necessary details, undergoing verification by the commission, and, if approved, receiving a unique registration number. Registration with the commission provides parties with several benefits and ensures transparency and accountability in their functioning.

If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with other, we call it a multiparty system. Thus in India, we have multi-party system. In this system, the governments is formed by various parties coming together in a coalition. When several parties in a multiparty system join hands the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front. For example; in India there were three such major alliance in 2004 parliamentary elections ; the National Democratic Alliance, the United Progressive Alliance and the left Front.

Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress is a political party in India and is one of the oldest and largest political organizations in the country. It played a major role in the Indian independence movement against British rule.

Foundation of Indian National Congress

• Year: 1885


• Answer: B

The Indian National Congress was founded on 28 December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai). It was formed by a group of prominent Indian leaders, including A.O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Wacha, and Surendranath Banerjee.

Key Points

• The main objective of the Indian National Congress was to seek greater political rights and representation for Indians in the British government.


• It aimed to unite and mobilize Indians from different regions and communities to fight for their rights and work towards achieving self-governance.


• The early years of the Indian National Congress were marked by moderate demands and methods, but it gradually became more radical in its approach towards British rule.


• The Congress played a pivotal role in organizing mass movements, protests, and campaigns against British policies, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement.


• After India gained independence in 1947, the Indian National Congress became the dominant political party in the country and has played a significant role in shaping India's political landscape.

Overall, the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 and has since played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence and subsequent nation-building efforts.

Answer:
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) was founded on April 6, 1980.
Detailed
The foundation of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) can be traced back to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, a political party established in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mookerjee. However, the Jana Sangh merged with several other parties to form the Janata Party in 1977.
After the Janata Party's split in 1980, a faction led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani formed a new political party called the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP aimed to promote the principles of Hindu nationalism and advocate for the rights of the majority Hindu community in India.
On April 6, 1980, the BJP was officially founded with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as its first president. Since its inception, the BJP has grown in prominence and emerged as one of the major political parties in India.
Summary:
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) was founded on April 6, 1980, by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. It originated from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and has since become one of the prominent political parties in India.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (abbreviated CPI(M)) is a communist party in India. The party emerged from a split from the Communist Party of India in 1964. The CPI(M) was formed at the Seventh Congress of the Communist Party of India held in Calcutta from 31 October to 7 November 1964.

Hand:

One singular hand represents the right of just one Family on the party ! Rest of the party members represent the hindlimbs.

A symbol of blessing corrupt dealings ! Khao aur Khaate Jao , party's blessings always.

A symbol of stopping any party member from raising against the dynasty ! Don't raise your voice against the Ghandhis, they are the numero uno elements of Congress.

Finally, the Hand represents a possible slap across the face of Development and Progress of the Nation.

A hand can be greased easily! Congress party proved it, in its 10 years tenure of UPA.

Everyone knows that the Lotus is the symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party there is no need to study it from book of 9th or 10th class. as a Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi belongs to this party and everybody knows about it

The Congress party won only one seat in the state whereas the NCP won five seats from its stronghold of western Maharashtra. In November 2019 after a month of political drama, the NCP came back into power at the state level as part of a coalition formed between Shiv Sena, the Congress and NCP.