Political Science Class 10 Notes Ch 3 Political Parties Maharashtra Board

Introduction

Political parties are essential in a democracy as they connect common people, elections, representation, and government. They compete to gain power through elections and work to shape society based on their ideas. This chapter explains what political parties are, their characteristics, the changing nature of India’s party system, and the role of national and regional parties.

What are Political Parties?

Political parties are social organizations formed by people to contest elections, win power, and form a government. Unlike other groups or movements that solve social issues, political parties focus on achieving political power through elections.

Characteristics of Political Parties

1. To Be in Power:

The main goal of political parties is to gain power by winning elections.
They compete fairly to govern the country or state.

2. To Pursue an Ideology:

Each party has its own beliefs and views on social issues, called its ideology.
People who agree with a party’s ideology support it, forming its mass base.

3. To Have a Party Agenda:

Parties create an agenda based on their ideology, outlining their plans.
They try to implement this agenda if they win power or use it to gain public support.

4. To Establish a Government:

The party with the majority in elections forms the government.
Parties without a majority act as opposition parties, questioning the government.

5. To Act as a Link Between Government and People:

Parties communicate people’s demands and complaints to the government.
They also explain government policies to the people, building a connection.

Types of Party Systems

1. One-Party System:

Only one political party holds power, and others have little influence.
Example: Not common in democratic countries like India.

2. Two-Party System:

Two major parties take turns in power.
Example: Common in countries like the USA.

3. Multi-Party System:

Many parties compete, and several are influential.
Example: India has a multi-party system with many national and regional parties.

Changing Nature of Political Party System in India

India’s political party system has evolved over time:

1. Post-Independence (Single Dominant Party System):

The Indian National Congress dominated politics at the center and in most states.
This period was called the era of single dominant party system.

2. Challenge to Congress (1977):

Non-Congress parties united to challenge Congress’s dominance.
This marked the beginning of a shift in the political system.

3. Rise of Coalition Governments (After 1989):

No single party dominated after the 1989 Lok Sabha elections.
Parties like Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed coalition governments with other parties.
Coalition governments proved stable, contrary to earlier beliefs.

National Parties

National parties have influence across multiple states and meet specific criteria set by the Election Commission. To be recognized as a national party, a party must:

Secure at least 6% of valid votes in four or more states in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections and have at least 4 MPs in Lok Sabha from any state(s). OR
Have candidates elected from at least 2% of Lok Sabha constituencies (out of 543) from at least 3 states.

Major National Parties in India (as per Election Commission, 2016)

1. Indian National Congress (INC):

Established in 1885 as a movement for national independence.
Post-independence, it became the dominant party.
Ideology: Secularism, democratic socialism, social equality, welfare for minorities and disadvantaged groups.
Focus: All-round development, equal rights, and international peace.

2. Communist Party of India (CPI):

Founded in 1925, based on communist ideology.
Works for laborers and workers, opposes capitalism.
Split in the 1960s over leadership issues, leading to the formation of CPI (Marxist).

3. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):

Formed in 1980 after a split from the Janata Party (earlier Bharatiya Jana Sangh, 1951).
Ideology: Protection of Indian culture and traditions, economic reforms.
A major national party today.

4. Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M):

Formed in 1964 after splitting from CPI.
Ideology: Socialism, secularism, democracy; opposes imperialism.
Protects interests of workers, farmers, and landless laborers.

5. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):

Established in 1984 with a socialist ideology.
Focus: Empowering the “majority” (Scheduled Castes, Tribes, religious minorities, and backward classes).

6. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP):

Formed in 1999 after a split from Congress.
Ideology: Democracy, equality, secularism.
Was part of coalition governments in Maharashtra (1999-2014) and at the center (2004-2014).

7. Trinamool Congress (TMC):

Founded in 1998, recognized as a national party in 2016.
Ideology: Democracy, secularism, protecting weaker sections.

Regional Parties

Regional parties focus on the interests of a specific region and have influence limited to that area. They arise from regionalism, which is a strong sense of pride in one’s language, culture, and region.

What is Regionalism?

Definition: A feeling of pride in one’s region, language, culture, and history, leading to a focus on regional development.

How it Develops:

People feel connected to their language and region.
This creates linguistic identity and pride in local traditions, literature, and history.
Over time, it turns into regional consciousness, prioritizing the region’s interests, resources, and jobs.

Outcome: Regionalism leads to the formation of regional political parties, pressure groups, or movements to protect regional interests.

Characteristics of Regional Parties

Influence is limited to a specific region.
Focus on regional problems and development.
Demand more autonomy and authority for the region.
Prefer local people in administration and jobs.
Play a significant role in state politics and influence national politics through coalitions.

Changing Nature of Regional Parties in India

1. Initial Phase (Post-Independence):

Regional parties made separatist demands, wanting independent states (e.g., Khalistan in Punjab, Dravidistan in Tamil Nadu).
Parties in Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir demanded separation from India.

2. Second Phase (After 1990):

Separatist demands reduced, and parties started demanding more autonomy within India.
Example: Parties like Shiv Sena and Telugu Desam focused on regional power.

3. Current Phase:

Regional parties, especially in North East India, have moved from separatism to demanding autonomy.
They are now joining mainstream national politics through coalitions.
Coalition politics has grown due to the increasing influence of regional parties.

Major Regional Parties in India

1. Shiv Sena (Maharashtra):

Founded in 1966.
Objective: Protect Marathi identity, promote Marathi language, resist non-Marathi influence.
Political Journey:
- Formed a coalition with BJP in 1995 and 2014 to govern Maharashtra.
- In 2019, allied with Congress and NCP to form the government.

2. Shiromani Akali Dal (Punjab):

Established in 1920.
Objective: Promote religious and regional identity in Punjab.
Has been in power in Punjab for many years.

3. National Conference (Jammu & Kashmir):

Founded in 1932.
Objective: Protect Kashmiri interests and maintain the region’s autonomous status.

4. Assam Gana Parishad (Assam):

Formed after the Assam Agreement (1985).
Objective: Protect Assam’s cultural, linguistic, and social identity, resolve issues of displaced people, and promote economic development.
Has governed Assam multiple times.

5. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) (Tamil Nadu):

Originated from the Justice Party (1920), became Dravida Kazhagam (1944), and then DMK in 1949.
A splinter group formed All India Anna DMK (AIADMK) in 1972.
Objective: Protect Tamil identity.
Has been part of coalition governments at the center and governed Tamil Nadu for long periods.

Role of Regional Parties in National Politics

Regional parties influence national politics through coalition governments (e.g., NDA and UPA coalitions).
Examples of coalitions:
- National Democratic Alliance (NDA): Led by BJP, includes regional parties like Shiv Sena.
- United Progressive Alliance (UPA): Led by Congress, included parties like NCP.
Regional parties demand autonomy and focus on local issues but cooperate with the central government.

Recognition of Regional Parties

To be recognized as a regional party by the Election Commission, a party must:

Secure at least 6% of valid votes in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections and have at least 2 MLAs in the state assembly. OR
Win at least 3% of total seats (or minimum 3 seats) in the state assembly.