Table of Contents
Introduction:
In any democratic nation, political parties play a central role in shaping governance and connecting the public with the government. They function as organized groups of individuals sharing common ideologies, beliefs, and objectives, aiming to influence public policies and form governments. In India, the presence of numerous parties with diverse ideologies reflects the country’s cultural, social, and regional diversity. The party system here is not only a mechanism for contesting elections, but also an important means of representing public aspirations, ensuring accountability, and maintaining democratic processes. Over time, the Indian party system has evolved based on history, regional dynamics, coalition politics, and socio-economic conditions.
Meaning of Party System in India:
The party system refers to the pattern of interaction and competition among political parties in a country. It is determined by the number of active parties, their relative strength, ideological orientation, and their role in governance. In India, the party system is unique due to the combination of national and regional parties, frequent alliances, and changing voter preferences. India has a multi-party system, which means that no single party can claim absolute power over the entire country, whereas many other countries have two ruling parties. This system allows diverse voices and regional aspirations to be represented within a democratic framework.
Types of Party Systems:
Globally, party systems are often classified into different types, and India’s situation can best be understood by comparing these categories:
1. One-Party System
- Only one party is legally recognized or allowed to exist.
- Citizens have no choice in elections.
- Example: Countries like China or North Korea.
- India does not follow this model because it promotes pluralism and choice.
2. Two-Party System
- Two major parties compete for power, while smaller parties play a minimal role.
- Voters typically choose between two major options.
- Example: The United States and the United Kingdom.
- India, due to its vast regional and social diversity, has never been a two-party state.
3. Multi-party system
- Coalition governments are common when multiple parties compete for power.
- Citizens have many options reflecting diverse interests and ideologies.
- Examples: India, Italy, and Israel.
- India’s multi-party system allows both national parties (such as the Congress and BJP) and regional parties (such as the DMK, TMC, BJD) to play a significant role in governance.
Types of Political Parties in India:
1. National Parties:
National parties are those with a presence and influence across multiple states in India. They often have a broad ideological appeal and compete on a national level. Examples include the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which have historically dominated Indian politics.
List of National Political Parties in India:
Indian National Congress: A.O. Hume
First President- W.C. Banerjee
Female First President- Annie Besant
Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP): Shyama Prasad Mukherjei
Lok Sabha election First President (1984)- L.K. Advani
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): Kanshi Ram (1984)
Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M):P. Sundarayya and E.M.S. Nambodiripad
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Sharad Pawar, P.A. Sangma and Tariq Anwar
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC/ TMC): Mamta Banerjee
National Peoples Party (NPP)2013: Conrad Sangma
The Communist Party of India (CPI): M.N. Roy, Abani Mukherjei, Evelyn Trent, more
2. State Parties:
State parties have a significant presence in one particular state and often focus on addressing state-specific issues. Examples include the All- India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh.
List of State Political Parties in India:
Political Party needs to win a minimum of 36% of total number of seats in Legislative assembly. Every 25 seats in Lok Sabha, political party must win at least one seat.
| Name | Political Leader & Foundation year | State/UT |
| Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) | Arvind Kejriwal in 2012 | Delhi, Punjab |
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | M.G. Ramchandran (MGR) in 1972 | Puducherry, Tamil Nadu |
| All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) | Subash Chandra Bose in 1939 | West Bengal |
| All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) | 1927 | Telangana |
| All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) | 2011 | Puducherry |
| All India United Democratic Front | Badruddin Ajmal (2005) | Assam |
| All Jharkhand Students Union | Sudesh Mahto (1986) | Jharkhand |
| Bharat Rashtra Samiti | K. Chandrashekar Rao (2001) | Telangana |
| Biju Janata Dal | Naveen Patnaik (1997) | Odisha |
| Bodoland People’s Front | Hagrama Mohilary (2005) | Assam |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist Liberation) | Dipankar Bhattacharya (1974) | Bihar |
| Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam | Vijayakanth (2005) | Tamil Nadu |
| Goa Forward Party | Vijai Sardesai (2016) | Goa |
| Hill State People’s Democratic Party | 1968 | Meghalaya |
| Indian National Lok Dal | Om Prakash Chautala | Haryana |
| Indian Union Muslim League | Hyderali Shihab Thangal (1948) | Kerala |
| Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura | N.C Debbarma (2009) | Tripura |
| Jammu & Kashmir National Conference | Farooq Abdullah (1932) | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party | Mehbooba Mufti (1999) | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Janta Congress Chhattisgarh | Renu Jogi (2016) | Chhattisgarh |
| Jannayak Janta Party | Dushyant Chautala (2018) | Haryana |
| Jharkhand Mukti Morcha | Shibu Soren Hemant Soren (1972) | Jharkhand |
| Janta Dal (Secular) | H.D. Deve Gowda (1999) | Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala |
| Janta Dal (United) | Nitish Kumar (2003) | Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | M.K. Stalin (1949) | Tamil Nadu Puducherry |
| Kerala Congress (M) | Jose K. Mani (1979) | Kerala |
| Lok Janshakti Party | Chirag Paswan (2000) | Bihar |
| Maharashtra Navnirman Sena | Raj Thackeray (2006) | Maharashtra |
| Mizo National Front | Zoramthanga (1961) | Mizoram |
| Mizoram People’s Conference | Lalhmangaiha Sailo (1975) | Mizoram |
| Naga People’s Front | T.L. Zeliang (2002) | Manipur, Nagaland |
| People’s Democratic Alliance | B.D. Behring (2012) | Manipur |
| People’s Democratic Front | Ivanlum Marbaniang (2017) | Meghalaya |
| People’s Party of Arunachal | Kamen Ringu (1977) | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Rashtriya Janata Dal | Lalu Prasad Yadav Tejashwi Yadav (1997) | Bihar, Jharkhand |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party | Manoj Bhattacharya (1940) | Kerala. West Bengal |
| Rashtriya Lok Dal | Jayant Chaudhary (1996) | Uttar Pradesh |
| Rashtriya Loktantrik Party | Hanuman Beniwal (2020) | Rajasthan |
| Samajwadi Party | Akhilesh Yadav (1992) | Uttar Pradesh |
| Shiromani Akali Dal | Sukhbir Singh Badal (1920) | Punjab |
| Shiv Sena | Uddhav Thackeray (1966) | Maharashtra |
| Sikkim Democratic Front | Pawan Kumar Chamling (1993) | Sikkim |
| Sikkim Krantikari Morcha | Prem Singh Tamang (2013) | Sikkim |
| Telugu Desam Party | N. Chsndrsbabu Naidu (1982) | Andra Pradesh, Telengana |
| United Democratic Party | Metbah Lyngdoh (1997) | Meghalaya |
| United People’s Party Liberal | Urkhao Gwra Brahma (2015) | Assam |
| YSR Congress Party | Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy (2011) | Andhra Pradesh |
| Zoram Nationalist Party | Lalduhoma (1997) | Mizoram |
| Pattali Makkal Katchi | S. Ramadoss (1989) | Puducherry |
3. Regional Parties:
Regional parties are primarily confined to specific states or regions within India. They advocate for the interests of particular linguistic, ethnic, or cultural groups. Examples include the Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh and the People’s Democratic Front in Tripura.
List of Regional Political Parties in India:
| Name | Foundation Year | Political Leader | State/UT |
| Social Democratic Party of India | 2009 | M.K. Faiz | Karnataka, Delhi, Madhy Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Puducherry, Goa |
| United Goans Party | 1963 | Jack de Sequeira | Goa |
| Kerala Congress | 1964 | P.J. Joseph | Kerala |
| Manipur Peoples Party | 1968 | Sovakiran N. | Manipur |
| Uttarakhand Kranti Dal | 1979 | Kashi Singh Airy | Uttarakhand |
| Lok dal | 1980 | Charan Singh | Uttar Pradesh |
| Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi | 1982 | Thol Thiruma Valavan | Tamil Nadu |
| Amar Bangali | 1983 | Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar | West Bengal |
| Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Maha sangha | 1983 | Sundar Shaekhar | Maharashtra |
| Kerala Congress | 1989 | R. Bala Krishna Pillai | Kerala |
| Gondwana Ganatantra Party | 1991 | Hira Singh Markam | Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra |
| Kerala Congress (Jacob) | 1991 | Anoop Jacob | Kerala |
| Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 1992 | Vaiko | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| Samata Party | 1994 | Uday Mandal | Bihar, Manipur |
| Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) | 1994 | Simranjit Singh Mann | Punjab |
| Puthiya Tamilagam | 1996 | K. Krishna Samy | Tamil Nadu |
| Tamil Maanila Congress | 1996 | G.K. Vasan | Tamil Nadu |
| People’s Democratic Front | 2001 | Ajoy Biswas | Tripura |
| Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party | 2002 | OM Prakash Raj bhar | Uttar Pradesh |
| Rashtriya Samaj Paksha | 2003 | Mahadev Jankar | Maharashtra, Kerala |
| Lok Satta Party | 2006 | Jaya Prakash Narayana | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| Gorkha Janamukti Morcha | 2007 | Bimal Gurung | West Bengal |
| Peace Party of India | 2008 | Mohamed Ayub | Uttar Pradesh |
| Naam Tamilar Katchi | 2009 | Senthamizhan Seeman | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi | 2010 | T.R. Pachamuthu | Tamil Nadu |
| Samajwadi Janata Dal Democratic | 2010 | Devendra Prasad Yadav | Bihar, Uttar Pradesh |
| Hindu Sena | 2011 | Vishnu Gupta | New Delhi |
| Socialist Party (India) | 2011 | Thampan Thomas | Kerala |
| Welfare Party of India | 2011 | S.Q.R. Ilyas | Kerala |
| Odisha Janamorcha | 2013 | Pyarimohan Mohapatra | Odisha |
| Param Digvijay Dal | 2014 | Krishna Mohan Shankar Yogi | Uttar Pradesh |
| Jan Shakti Party of India | 2015 | Gurjeet Singh Azad | Punjab |
| Swaraj India | 2016 | Yogendra Yadav | Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra |
| Loktantrik Janta Dal | 2018 | Sharad Yadav | Bihar, Kerala |
| Punjab Ekta Party | 2019 | Sukhpal Singh Khaira | Punjab |
| Plurals Party | 2020 | Pushpam Priya Choudhary | Bihar |
| Indian Secular Front | 2021 | Nawsad Siddique | West Bengal |
| YSR Telangana Party | 2021 | Y.S. Sharmila | Telangana |
| Revolutionary Goans Party | 2022 | Viresh Borkar | Goa |
Characteristics/ Features of Political Parties in India:
1. Ideological Diversity:
Indian political parties display a wide range of ideologies across the political spectrum, ranging from left-wing socialism to right-wing nationalism. This ideological diversity reflects the pluralistic nature of Indian society and allows for a lively exchange of views in the political arena.
2. Coalition Politics:
Given the fragmented nature of India’s party system, coalition governments are a common feature at both the national and state levels. Political parties often form alliances and coalitions to secure majority support and form governments, leading to a complex web of inter-party relationships.
3. Dynastic Politics:
Many political parties in India are characterised by dynastic leadership, where leadership positions are inherited within political families. This phenomenon has supporters, who argue for continuity and stability, and critics, who see it as detrimental to the democratic principles of merit and accountability.
4. Multiplicity of Parties:
India has a large number of national and regional parties, reflecting linguistic, cultural, and social diversity.
5. Dominance of National and Regional Parties:
While regional parties like the DMK, SP, TMC, and BJD have substantial influence in their respective states, national parties like the BJP and Congress dominate politics at the federal level.
6. Role of Regional Aspirations:
Regional parties often emerge from local issues, linguistic pride, or state-specific demands, making them highly influential in state politics and sometimes central governance.
7. Personality-Centric Politics:
Leadership figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, and regional leaders like M. Karunanidhi or Mamata Banerjee have significantly shaped party identities.
8. Secular and Ideological Diversity:
Parties in India are based on different ideologies—some emphasize secularism, while others emphasize nationalism, socialism, or liberal economic policies.
9. Electoral Competition:
The Indian party system is based on active competition, where parties constantly have to prove their relevance by addressing public concerns, promising reforms, and promoting development.
10. Populist Promises and Manifestos:
Indian parties often release manifestos highlighting welfare schemes, subsidies, and development goals to attract voters.
11. The Impact of Social Divisions:
Caste, religion, language, and region influence a party’s support base, determining electoral outcomes in many states.
12. Frequent Party Splits and Alliances:
Internal conflicts often lead to the formation of new parties, while electoral compulsions encourage coalitions, mergers, or pre-poll alliances.
Functions of Political Parties in India:
1. Representation:
Political parties serve as vehicles for representing the diverse interests and viewpoints of the masses. Through their manifestos and campaigns, parties express the aspirations of various social groups, including farmers, labourers, women and minorities.
2. Aggregation of Interests:
In a pluralistic society like India, where myriad interests converge, political parties act as mediators, aggregating and synthesizing these interests into coherent policy platforms. Through this process, parties attempt to strike a balance between competing demands and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
3. Mobilization of Voters:
Political parties play a key role in organizing voters during elections, garnering support through rallies, door-to-door campaigning and media outreach. They mobilize resources, deploy cadres and leverage technology to maximize voter turnout and ensure electoral victory.
4. Policy Formulation and Implementation:
After assuming power, political parties are entrusted with the task of formulating and implementing policies that address social challenges and fulfill electoral promises. This includes drafting legislation, allocating resources, and overseeing the implementation of welfare programmes and developmental initiatives.
5. Scrutiny and Accountability:
Opposition parties in India play a key role in scrutinizing the actions of the ruling party and holding them accountable for their decisions and policies. Through parliamentary debates, protests, and public scrutiny, opposition parties ensure transparency and uphold democratic norms.
Impact of Political Parties on Indian Democracy:
Representation of diverse interests:
Political parties serve as mediums for channeling diverse social interests and grievances, ensuring that marginalized voices find expression in the political mainstream.
Role in policy formulation:
Political parties play a key role in shaping public policies and legislative agendas, reflecting their ideological commitments and electoral mandate.
Functioning within a federal structure:
India’s federal structure requires collaborative engagement between national and regional parties to address complex governance challenges and promote cooperative federalism.
Conclusion:
The party system in India is complex, dynamic, and deeply rooted in the country’s democratic ethos. It reflects the diversity of society by providing opportunities for participation in governance for diverse voices and ideologies. While national parties provide broad platforms of unity, regional parties ensure that local issues are not overlooked. Despite challenges such as fragmentation, populism, or identity-based politics, the Indian party system continues to adapt and evolve, ensuring that democracy remains vibrant and representative.
FAQs:
1. What is the importance of political parties in Indian democracy?
Political parties play a vital role in articulating the interests of citizens, shaping public policies and ensuring political representation within a democratic framework.
2. What are the key challenges faced by political parties in India?
Political parties grapple with issues such as corruption, dynastic politics and lack of internal democracy, which undermine their credibility and effectiveness.
3. How can political parties promote transparency in funding?
Political parties can promote transparency by following strict disclosure norms, implementing stringent regulatory mechanisms and reducing reliance on opaque funding sources.
4. What role do political parties play in promoting federalism in India?
Political parties facilitate cooperative federalism by interacting with regional stakeholders, accommodating diverse regional aspirations and building consensus on shared governance priorities.