Chapter 4: Political Parties (Class 10 NCERT Civics)

Introduction

Political parties are essential to democracy, serving as a bridge between the government and the people. They organize public opinion, shape policies, and ensure that voters have choices during elections. In any democratic system, political parties represent diverse interests and ideologies, giving people a platform to voice their concerns and influence governance. Understanding how political parties function, their types, and the improvements required helps students appreciate their role in shaping the political landscape. In this chapter, we will explore the structure, role, and importance of political parties in India.

What is a Political Party?

• Definition: A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
• Key Functions:
  • Contest Elections: Political parties nominate candidates and campaign to win elections.
  • Formulate Policies and Programs: Parties present their manifestos to address public issues.
  • Make Laws: Parties in power or opposition play a significant role in the legislative process.
  • Govern the Country: The party that wins the majority forms the government and governs.
  • Act as Opposition: Parties that lose elections critique the government and keep a check on power.

Characteristics of Political Parties

• Ideology: Every political party has a set of principles and ideas that guide its policies.
• Leadership: Parties have recognized leaders who represent the party.
• Organization: A structured hierarchy ensures smooth functioning.
• Membership: Parties are made up of voluntary members who agree with the party’s ideology.

Types of Political Parties

1. National Parties:

1. • Represent a nationwide presence.
   • Contest elections in multiple states.
   • Recognized as a “national party” by the Election Commission.
   • Examples:
     • Indian National Congress (INC)
     • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
     • Aam Admi  Party (AAP)
   • Criteria for National Party Status:
     • Must secure at least 6% of the valid votes in four or more states.
     • Win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.

2. State Parties:

1. • Primarily focus on issues specific to a particular state.
   • Play a crucial role in regional politics.
   • Examples:
     • Trinamool Congress (West Bengal)
     • Shiv Sena (Maharashtra)
   • Criteria for State Party Status:
     • Must secure at least 6% of the valid votes in the state legislative assembly elections.
     • Win at least 2 seats in the state legislative assembly.

Functions of Political Parties

• Contest Elections: Parties select candidates and run campaigns to win elections.
• Make Policies: Parties in power implement policies aligned with their ideology.
• Representation: Political parties represent the interests of different sections of society.
• Opposition Role: Parties not in power act as a critical opposition, ensuring the government is accountable.
• Political Education: Parties spread political awareness and educate the masses about governance.
• Link Between Government and People: Parties facilitate communication between the public and the government.

Challenges to Political Parties

1. Lack of Internal Democracy:

1. • Party leadership is often concentrated in a few hands, with little input from ordinary members.
   • Decision-making is centralized, leading to a lack of transparency.

2. Dynastic Succession:

1. • Family-based political parties make it difficult for common citizens to rise to leadership positions.
   • Leaders often inherit their positions rather than earning them through merit.

3. Money and Muscle Power:

1. • Parties rely heavily on funding, and money often plays a significant role in elections.
   • Influence of criminal elements and the use of force can sway elections.

4. Growing Role of Media:

1. • Media often plays a role in shaping public opinion, sometimes leading to biased reporting that favors certain parties.
   • Parties increasingly focus on media management rather than addressing ground-level issues.

How Can Political Parties Be Reformed?

1. Legislation:

1. • Laws should be enacted to ensure internal democracy within parties.
   • Measures should be taken to control the influence of money and muscle power in elections.

2. Encouraging Participation:

1. • More opportunities should be given to women and marginalized groups to participate in politics.
   • Parties should encourage grassroots participation and give voice to local issues.

3. Transparency:

1. • Parties must maintain transparent funding mechanisms to reduce corruption and cronyism.
   • The Election Commission could monitor the financial activities of political parties more strictly.

4. Initiatives Taken:

1. • The Election Commission has introduced certain reforms, such as limiting election expenditure and mandating disclosure of criminal records by candidates.
   • Civil society organizations have been working to raise awareness about political reforms and encourage voter participation.

Conclusion

Political parties are the cornerstone of a democratic system, providing structure to electoral processes and governance. While they play a critical role in shaping policies and representing diverse interests, they also face significant challenges that need reform. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving the functioning of political parties and ensuring that democracy remains robust and responsive to the people’s needs.

Add-ons:

• Did You Know?: The Election Commission of India has the power to deregister a political party if it fails to follow electoral rules and regulations.
• Fact Box: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently the largest political party in India by membership, with over 180 million members.
• Current Issues: In recent times, debates around political funding and transparency have gained momentum, with demands for reform growing louder.