What are the essentials of a political party?
A political party is a group of people with a similar ideology, who contest elections of a nation and form a ruling government. Every member of a particular party works on the same front, their methods might differ, but their aim is the same.
The essential of a political party is:
a. A Leader: The one who forms the party and its agendas and leads the consequent members of the party.
b. The Active members: They are people who promote the party’s work and ideologies throughout the region and nation. Every state has members of different parties.
c. The followers: They are the people or rather common citizens who are influenced by these parties and wants to be governed by it. They are inspired by the works and ideologies of the party.
Why are political parties necessary fora modern democracy?
A political party is a group of people with a similar ideology, to contest elections of a nation and form a ruling government. Century ago there were few countries that had political parties,but now every country except few have political parties, who contest the elections and forms government to run the country.
A Political party is synonymous to democracy, asthe election is vital for any democracy to contest elections these political parties are necessary.
They are necessary due to the following reasons:
a. The parties frame policies and agendas that are for the welfare of the entire nation. Any policy is not just directed towards a single person, but for all.
b. They promote their ideas for the national good during the electionandpromise to work towards it.
c. They put forward programmes that are for the upliftment of backward communities.
d. Muliple parties create a sense of competition which can act as a motivation for a leader to work more towards the larger goal.
In order to become a national party, what percent of votes are required by a party in the Lok Sabha election?
The political parties have to get them registered with the Election Commission in order to contest the election.
The EC has made norms like the minimum number of votes the party has to secure in the assembly election in order to get the status of a recognised party.
A party has to get minimum 6% of total votes in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections in four states and win atleast 4 seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognized as a national party.
Give two examples of countries having two -party system.
There are different types ofparty system. There is a one-party system where only one party is allowed to run the government, like China. There is twoparties system where only two parties contest election like the USA. Multi-party system where several parties contestthe election. Eg.India
The countrieshavinga two-part system arethe United States and the United Kingdom.
Name some regional parties which have a national level organization.
There are six national parties in India, namely Indian National Congress, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India, National Congress Party.
Apart from these, rest all other parties are regional parties. These parties are classified by the Election Commission.
There are some parties, though that are regional like Samajwadi Party, Samata Party, Rashtriya Janta Dal.
What is defection?
Defection means changing the membership from a party. It is a practice where a person who gets elected to the legislative assembly from a party leaves that party and acquiresmembership of another party.
This is a negativeaction because the members change the party in the lure of becoming a minister or for cash rewards. The parties influence the members with monetary power.
What do you mean by affidavit?
The Supreme Court passed an order that every candidate had to give details of personal information and any cases pending against them, to reduce the criminalization of politics.
These details are filed in an Affidavit, that contains the details like the properties of the candidate or any pending cases against him/her in the court.
Mention any one challenge faced by political parties in India.
The political parties are the face of democracy. They are the one who regulates the nation, so for any wrongdoing in our society, the parties are ultimately blamed.
The political parties throughout the world face several problems, the first being the lack of internal democracy within the parties:
a. The powers of the political parties are generally held with only a few people. Not every member of the party gets the chance to be the leader.
b. The workers of the parties do not get the chance to rise up since any internal elections or rewards are not given.
c. The next challenge isthe criminalization of parties. The rich and powerful acquire the membership of the parties through money power and misuse their powers.
Is it necessary for a political party to file an income tax return?
Yes, it is necessary for a political party to file an income tax returns.
The Election Commission has made it compulsory to file the income tax returns, for the political parties. Any political party as per Section 13A is required to furnish return of income under Section 139(4B) if its income exceeds maximum amount not chargeable to tax.
Where political parties have to register themselves?
The political parties have to register themselves with the Election Commission.
a. The commission treats every party equally.
b. It gives the parties a specific symbol.
c. The EC has made norms like the minimum number of votes the party has to secure in the assembly election in order to get the status of a recognized party.
d. A party has to get minimum 6% of total votes in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections in four states and win atleast 4 seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognized as a national party.
What is the function of a political party?
The political parties are the face of democracy. They are the one who regulates the nation, so for any wrongdoing in our society, the parties are ultimately blamed.
a. The parties frame policies and agendas that are for the welfare of the entire nation. Any policy is not just directed towards a single person, but for all.
b. They promote their ideas for the national goods during the electionand when they win they work towards it.
c. They put forward programmes that are for the upliftment of backward communities.
In which state does ‘Shiv Sena’ exits as a regional political party?
Shiv Sena is a regional political party with its base in Maharashtra, founded by Bal Thakarey.
A regional party is one that is restricted to a particular state, it supports the grievances of that particular state mostly. The party identify itself with regions’ culture , language and religion.
Which facilities are offered by the Election commissions to a recognized political party?
The political parties have to register themselves with the Election Commission.
a. The recognized parties are given a unique symbol.
b. Recognised `State’ and `National’ parties need only one proposer for filing the nomination and are also entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost and broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections.
One – party system is not a good option for the country. Why?
There are many party system. There is a one-party system where only one party is allowed to run the government, like China.
Then, there is two, parties system where only two parties contest election like the USA.
Multi-party system: here several parties contest the election. Eg. India
The one-party system is not good for the country:
a. In a one-partysystem, people do not have the option to elect a different leader. They had to choose the same leader whether he is liked by the citizens or not.
b. There is a lack of competition which may result innon-fulfilment of promises by the single party.
Which political parties are founded on the norms of Marxism-Leninism?
The Communist Party of India is one of the oldest party of the nation. It was formed in 1925.They rely on the principles of philosophers like Marxism and Leninism, secularism and democracy. They are against secessionism ( Separation) and Communalism. They believe that democracy could be achieved through parliamentary methods.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is the alliance of form alliance with state parties?
The Bhartiya Janta Party was founded in 1980. The party came into power in 1998, with the support of various regional political parties.
The alliance of BJP with various state parties was named as National Democratic Alliance.
Why are national parties compelled to form an alliance with state parties?
In the multi-party system, when the political parties compete with each other, there comes a situation when more than the two parties have a high chance of winning if they contest together.
The alliance provides the strength to the parties and the chance of winning increase as the different parties can bring with themselves votes of different regions. Hence the parties are compelled to form an alliance.
Name two regional/state parties of West Bengal.
The two regional parties of West Bengal are :
a. All India Trinamool Congress
b. All India Forward Bloc
How is political reforms in a democratic system carried out?
The ways in which political reforms can be carried outare:
a. The legislative bodies could make laws.
b. People can put pressure upon the parties to make necessary changes in the party’s way of action.
c. The pressure groups can carry out rallies.
d. The media can play an important role by providing information to the citizens.
Explain different form of the party system in brief.
There are many party system.
a. There is a one-party system where only one party is allowed to run the government, like China.
b. There is twoparties system where only two parties contest election like the USA.
c. A multi-party system where several parties contest the election. Eg.India
Why are symbols allotted to political parties in India? Explain the reasons.
The political parties have to register themselves with the Election Commission. It gives the parties a specific symbol.
The symbols help the people in identifying the parties while casting a vote.
There are many illiterate people who cannot read for whom these symbols are useful while casting votes.
How will you define a regional political party?
A regional party is one that is restricted to a particular state, it supports the grievances of that particular state mostly. The party identifies itself with regions’ culture, language and religion.They participate in the state assembly election of that particular state only.
There are six national parties in India, namely Indian National Congress, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India, National Congress Party. Apart from these, all other parties are regional parties.
These parties are classified by the Election Commission.
These are established in a particular state only.
Example: Samajwadi Party, Samata party, Shiv Sena, etc.
What is an alternative political formation?
When certain demands of the community are not met by any of the political parties, it leads to dissatisfaction among them. This tends to develop a feeling of forming own rules and regulation to govern the community. There are pressure groups that do not contest elections but lead the movements against the government. They raise their voices for poor and marginalized.
Similarly, the alternative political formation idea leads to the emergence of Naxalism.
‘’The state or regional political parties contribute in strengthening federalism and democracy in India’’. Explain the statement with examples.
Federalism means the division of powers.
The political parties are the pillars of a democracy. In a large country like India, it is impossible for any one party to accumulate majority votes. They need to form alliances with other parties. This let the regional parties get into the frame of the national party.
Hence ‘’The state or regional political parties contribute in strengthening federalism and democracy in India.’’
Why do we need political parties? Give three reasons.
The political parties are the face of democracy. They are the ones who regulate the nation. So for any wrongdoing in our society, the parties are ultimately blamed.
a. The parties frame policies and agendas that are for the welfare of the entire nation. Any policy is not just directed towards a single person, but for all.
b. They promote their ideas for the national goods during the electionand when they win they work towards it.
c. They put forward programmes that are for the upliftment of backward communities.
What is the Coalition Government?
The political parties are the pillars of a democracy. In a large country like India, it is difficult for any one party to accumulate majority votes. They need to form alliances with other parties.
Hence the government formed with the alliance of several parties is called asa coalition government.
Example: The Bhartiya JantaParty was founded in 1980. The party came into power in 1998, with the support of various regional political parties. The alliance of BJP with various state parties was named as National Democratic Alliance.
What measure has been taken to curb the problem of defection?
Defection means changing the membership from a party. A person who gets elected to the legislative assembly from a party leaves that party and acquire membership of another party.
This is a negative action because the members change the party in the lure of becoming a minister or for cash rewards. The parties influence the members with monetary power.
The measures are taken to curb defection are.
a. The Parliament made changes in the Constitution and added a schedule (the 10th schedule) referred to as Anti defection law.
b. The Constitution was amended, and changing party was made punishable as this would make the member lose their seat in the legislature. MPs and MLAs have to accept whatever the party leader decides.
c. The member of the house becomes disqualified if he gives up his membership voluntarily.
d. He is disqualified if he votes or abstains from voting against the direction of his political party.
The provisions were made so that once a member joins a party must remain loyal to it and obey party direction.
‘’No party system is Ideal for all countries in all situation’’. Justify the statements with four arguments.
The political parties are not necessary for any country, but it is a leader who leads a nation.
1. Be it monarchy, autocracy or democracy, it is the leader of that nation who takes decisions for the nation.
2. There are many countries who have performed better than democratic nations in many aspects. These nations do not have political parties but has leader who takes decisions for the welfare of its citizens.
3. There are also monarch or autocratic countries who do not take care of their citizens and takes decisions against their welfare.
The Multiparty system was developed in India, due to its social and geographical diversity. This system has its own set of problems. No party system is ideal for all countries in all situations. Though we have many parties yet there are many problems that exists.
Hence we can say that any party system is not perfect, but it is the leaders who make it.
Write a note on Indian National Congress (INC)
The Indian National Congress (INC), is one of the oldest and popular parts of India.
a. It was founded in 1885 by the leaders of the national independence struggle.
b. It played an important role during the fight for independence with the British.
c. The party ruled uninterrupted since independence till 1989.
d. In 1989, it lost its popularity, due to the emergence of many other regional political parties.
e. The INC has a centrist ideology; it promotes secularism and welfare of weaker section.
What is meant by lack of internal democracy within parties? Explain.
The political parties are the face of democracy. They are the ones who regulate the nation. So for any wrongdoing in our society, the parties are ultimately blamed. They need to face this because people have given them the power to govern them. Hence they are accountable to the people for their actions.
The political parties throughout the world face several problems, the first being the lack of internal democracy within the parties:
d. The powers of the political parties are generally held with only a few people. Not every member of the party gets the chance to be the leader.
e. The parties do not conduct regular meeting with the members to get them informed of any proceedings further. This reduces the connection with the party.
f. The leaders have the greatest powers while making any decision, the rest of the members are rarely consulted, this creates the gap in ideologies.
g. The communication gap makes the members lose their loyalty towards the party.
What is the guiding philosophy of the CommunistParty of India (Marxist)?
The communist party of India is one of the oldest party of the nation.
a. It was formed in 1925.
b. They rely on the principles of philosophers like Marxism and Leninism, secularism and democracy.
c. They are against secessionism ( Separation) and Communalism.
d. They believe that democracy could be achieved through parliamentary methods.
e. They promote the demands of the working class, farmers and the poor.
‘’Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy’’. Analyze the statement with an example.
A political party is a group of people with a similar ideology, to contest elections of a nation and form a ruling government.
A Political party is synonymous to democracy, anelection is vital for any democracy to contest elections these political parties are necessary.
They are necessary:
a. The parties frame policies and agendas that are for the welfare of the entire nation. Any policy is not just directed towards a single person, but for all.
b. They promote their ideas for the national goods during the electionand when they win they work towards it.
c. They put forward programmes that are for the upliftment of backward communities.
The political parties are the face of democracy. They are the ones who regulate the nation.
Example: In a democracy, the people and their demands play a pivotal role. These demands are raised by these parties. The parties provide the people access to the government. For any common person reaching out to any local party leader is easier than the head of the country. Hence the parties are important.
About a hundred years ago, there were a few countries that had hardly any political party. Now there are a few countries that do not have political parties. Examine the statements.
A political party is a group of people with a similar ideology, to contest elections of a nation and form a ruling government. Every member of a particular party works on the same front, their methods might differbut their aim is the same.
a. Century ago there were few countries that had political parties but now every country except few have political parties, who contest the elections and forms government to run the country.
b. A Political party is synonymous to democracy, asthe election is vital for any democracy to contest elections these political parties are necessary.
c. Today almost every country whether big, small, developed or developing have political parties.
d. The parties in these countries increased due to democracy. Many countries found democracy as a better way of governance.
e. Any large society needs representative democracy, and for this, they need agencies that could gather information about the happenings in the nation. This work is done by the parties and its members.
f. To run a nation, formulation of policies are important which is done by the parties.
The above characteristics of the political parties attracted the world and lead to the emergence of the party system in the countries.