Political Parties
National and State parties
Describe India's national and State parties.
Registered vs recognised. Every party must register with the Election Commission. The Commission treats all parties equally, but gives large, established parties extra facilities, including a unique symbol that only their official candidates may use. These are recognised parties.
- State party: at least six per cent of votes in a State Assembly election and at least two seats.
- National party: at least six per cent of votes in Lok Sabha elections or in Assembly elections in four States, and at least four Lok Sabha seats.
In 2023, the Commission listed six national parties.
The national parties (1).
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): formed in 2012 after the 2011 anti-corruption movement; stands for accountability, transparency and clean government. Has formed governments in Delhi and Punjab.
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): formed in 1984 under Kanshi Ram. Speaks for the bahujan samaj: dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities. Inspired by Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar and Ambedkar. Main base: Uttar Pradesh.
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): set up in 1980, bringing back the old Bharatiya Jana Sangh (set up by Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951). Draws on India's ancient culture and Deendayal Upadhyaya's integral humanism and Antyodaya; it sees cultural nationalism as central. Won 303 seats in 2019 and leads the NDA government.
The national parties (2).
- Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI(M): set up in 1964; follows Marxism-Leninism; stands for socialism, secularism and democracy, opposes imperialism and communalism. Strong in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura; ruled West Bengal for 34 years without a break.
- Indian National Congress (INC): founded in 1885, one of the oldest parties in the world. Dominated Indian politics for decades after Independence; under Nehru it aimed at a modern, secular, democratic republic. A centrist party; supports economic reforms 'with a human face'. Led the UPA government from 2004. In 2019 it won 19.5 per cent of votes and 52 seats.
- National People's Party (NPP): started in 2013 under P.A. Sangma; the first party from the North-East to become a national party. Formed government in Meghalaya.
State parties. Most other major parties are State parties (often called regional parties). That does not always mean regional thinking:
- some, such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party, are organised nationally but have won only in some States;
- others, like the Biju Janata Dal and Mizo National Front, are proud of their State identity.
Why State parties matter. Over the last three decades State parties have grown in number and strength, making Parliament more diverse. Until 2014, no single national party could win a Lok Sabha majority on its own, so national parties needed State parties as allies. From 1996 on, almost every State party has shared power in some national coalition. This has strengthened federalism and democracy.
Practise this lesson
Questions that get harder as you improve, a Tutor that helps without giving the answer away, and progress you can see. Free for every learner.
No account, no email address. Opens the real product.