In this post, notes of “Unit 1: Political Parties and the Party System in India” from “DSC 15: Political Process in India” are given which is helpful for the students doing graduation this year.

1. Introduction to Political Parties

What Are Political Parties?

A political party is a group of people with similar ideas and goals who work together to win elections and influence government decisions. They connect the people with the government, representing public interests and aiding in governance.

Main Jobs of Political Parties

Political parties play essential roles in a democracy, including:

1. Representation – Represent different groups in society and unify various interests.
2. Political Participation – Encourage people to engage in politics and government.
3. Policy Making – Develop plans and solutions for national and public issues.
4. Forming the Government – The party with the most votes forms the government and executes its policies.
5. Opposition and Feedback – Non-ruling parties monitor the government and propose alternatives.
6. Education and Awareness – Inform citizens about political issues and government functions.
7. Shaping Public Opinion – Influence public views through campaigns and discussions.
8. Finding Leaders – Identify, train, and promote leaders for government positions.

Why Political Parties Matter in a Democracy

Political parties are crucial for democracy because:

• They Provide Stability – Organize political competition, ensuring a stable process.
• They Connect Citizens to the Government – Act as a bridge for people to express their needs and concerns.
• They Ensure Accountability – Opposition parties hold the ruling government responsible.
• They Encourage Participation – Engage voters, strengthening democracy.
• They Offer Choices – Present different policies and ideas for voters to choose from.

Political parties shape politics and ensure democracy functions effectively.

2. National and State Parties

How to Recognize National and State Parties

The Election Commission of India (ECI) determines whether a political party is recognized as a National or State party based on election results.

Criteria for National Parties

A party is classified as a National Party if it meets one of the following conditions:

1. Wins at least 2% of Lok Sabha seats in at least three different states.
2. Gets at least 6% of votes in four or more states during Lok Sabha or State Assembly elections and wins at least four Lok Sabha seats.
3. Is recognized as a State Party in at least four states.

Criteria for State Parties

A party is classified as a State Party if it meets one of the following conditions in a specific state:

1. Wins at least 3% of the total seats in the State Legislative Assembly or at least 3 seats (whichever is higher).
2. Gets at least 6% of valid votes in the State Assembly or Lok Sabha election and wins at least one Lok Sabha or Assembly seat.
3. Wins at least 1 Lok Sabha seat from that state.
4. Gets at least 8% of valid votes in the state.

List of Recognized National Parties (As of 2024)

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the following are the recognized National Parties:

1. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
2. Indian National Congress (INC)
3. Communist Party of India (CPI)
4. Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)
5. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
6. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
7. National People’s Party (NPP)

(Note: The number of national parties may change based on ECI updates.)

List of Recognized State Parties

State parties operate at the regional level and are recognized by the Election Commission based on their performance in a particular state. Some notable State Parties include:

• Trinamool Congress (TMC) – West Bengal
• Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) (SS-UBT) – Maharashtra
• Samajwadi Party (SP) – Uttar Pradesh
• Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) – Bihar
• Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) – Tamil Nadu
• Biju Janata Dal (BJD) – Odisha
• Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) (Now Bharat Rashtra Samithi – BRS) – Telangana
• Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) – Andhra Pradesh
• Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) – Punjab

(Recognition of state parties may change over time.)

Role and Influence of National Parties

1. Governance at the National Level – Participate in Lok Sabha elections and form the central government.
2. Wider Appeal – Address issues affecting multiple states.
3. Influence on National Policies – Shape policies on the economy, defense, and foreign relations.
4. Coalition Politics – Form alliances with regional parties to strengthen their power.

Role and Influence of State Parties

1. Local Representation – Focus on state-specific concerns and development.
2. Important in Coalition Governments – State parties support or oppose national governments when no single party wins a majority.
3. Impact on State Policies – Influence education, agriculture, and local governance.
4. Focusing on Local Issues – Ensure regional identity and local interests are addressed.

Both National and State Parties play a crucial role in India’s democracy, ensuring representation at different levels of government.

3. Trends in the Party System

Changes in India’s Party System

India’s party system has evolved due to historical events, social movements, and elections. The key phases are:

1. One-Party Dominance (1952–1967) – The Indian National Congress (INC) won most elections.
2. Political Competition (1967–1989) – Other parties gained power, weakening Congress’s dominance.
3. Coalition Era (1989–2014) – No party won a majority, leading to alliances like the National Front, United Front, NDA, and UPA.
4. Return to One-Party Dominance (2014–present) – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured clear majorities in 2014 and 2019, establishing dominance at the national level.

---

Dominant Party System and Its Changes

• 1952–1967 – The Congress Party dominated Indian politics.
• 1967 – Opposition parties started gaining power in states.
• Emergency Period (1975–77) – The Janata Party (1977) challenged Congress’s rule.
• Post-1989 Decline of Congress – Events like the Mandal Commission (1989), economic liberalization (1991), and the rise of Hindutva politics (1990s) led to more coalition governments.

---

Recent Trends in the Indian Party System

1. BJP as the Main Party – Since 2014, the BJP has been the dominant national party, reducing the need for coalitions.
2. Decline of Congress – Once the most powerful party, Congress now struggles to stay politically relevant.
3. Growth of Regional Parties – Regional parties continue to play a crucial role, especially in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
4. State-Level Coalitions – Even with BJP’s national dominance, coalition politics remains significant in states like Maharashtra, Bihar, and Karnataka.
5. Leader-Centric Elections – Elections often focus on strong leaders like Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee, and Arvind Kejriwal.
6. Rise of Technology and Social Media – Parties use digital campaigns and social media to engage voters.

---

Changes in Political Parties

• Fragmentation – More regional parties are emerging, and some break away from larger parties (e.g., TMC from Congress, AAP from the Anna Hazare movement).
• Realignment – Many parties frequently switch alliances:
  • Shiv Sena (Maharashtra) split, with one faction aligning with BJP and another with Congress-NCP.
  • JD(U) (Bihar) has switched between BJP and RJD multiple times.
  • AIADMK (Tamil Nadu) has alternated between alliances with BJP and Congress.

India’s party system is constantly evolving, influenced by regional demands, caste dynamics, ideology, and leadership changes.

4. From Congress to the Rise of the BJP

The Congress Era: Start and Control

• The term “Congress System” was introduced by Rajni Kothari to describe 1952–1967, when the Indian National Congress (INC) was the dominant political party.
• After Independence (1947), Congress remained strong due to its role in the freedom struggle, leadership of Nehru and Patel, and its broad-based appeal.
• The Congress System united various political groups under one umbrella while maintaining central control.
• Congress won majorities in Lok Sabha elections in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967, and controlled most state governments.

---

Reasons for Congress’s Decline

1. Internal Conflicts and Leadership Issues – After Nehru’s death (1964), Congress faced internal divisions. The party split in 1969 (Congress (R) vs. Congress (O)) under Indira Gandhi.
2. Growth of Opposition Parties – Socialist, communist, and regional parties gained strength, challenging Congress.
3. 1967 Elections & Rise of Coalitions – Congress lost power in several states, marking the end of total dominance.
4. The Emergency (1975–77) & Public Backlash – Indira Gandhi’s rule during the Emergency led to anger, helping the Janata Party win in 1977.
5. Economic Problems & 1991 Liberalization – Economic struggles, corruption, and the Mandal Commission controversy weakened Congress’s support.
6. Rise of BJP & Hindutva Politics – The BJP gained traction through the Ram Janmabhoomi movement (1980s–90s), attracting Hindu nationalist voters.
7. Coalition Politics (1990s–2014) – Congress depended on alliances, reducing its dominance in national politics.
8. BJP’s Wins (2014, 2019) – The BJP, led by Narendra Modi, secured landslide victories, further diminishing Congress’s influence.

---

The Rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

• BJP traces its roots to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), founded in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
• The BJS merged into the Janata Party (1977) but re-emerged as the BJP in 1980.
• BJP’s growth was driven by:
  1. Ram Janmabhoomi Movement (1980s–90s) – Led by L.K. Advani, this movement united Hindu voters.
  2. 1998–2004 NDA Government – Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP successfully led a coalition.
  3. 2014 & 2019 Elections – Under Narendra Modi, BJP won absolute majorities, marking a return to one-party dominance.

---

BJP’s Strategies and Campaigns

1. Hindutva and Nationalism – BJP promotes Hindutva, cultural pride, and majority-focused politics.
2. Strong Leadership – Modi’s image as a decisive, development-oriented leader plays a key role.
3. Effective Campaigning – The RSS network, IT Cell, and Booth Management strengthen BJP’s outreach.
4. Welfare and Development Programs – Initiatives like PM Awas Yojana and Digital India attract diverse voter groups.
5. Social media – BJP effectively uses digital platforms for voter engagement.
6. Identity Politics – BJP strategically mobilizes religious and caste-based groups, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar.
7. Weak Opposition – Congress and other opposition parties have failed to counter BJP’s growing influence.

---

Impact of BJP’s Rise on Indian Politics

1. Shift to Single-Party Rule – Since 2014, BJP has governed with clear majorities, unlike earlier coalition governments (1990s–2014).
2. Rise of Hindutva Politics – Policies like CAA-NRC, Article 370 repeal, and Ram Mandir reflect BJP’s ideological shift.
3. Decline of Congress – Congress continues to lose power in both national and state elections.
4. Weakening of Regional Parties – BJP has expanded into former strongholds of regional parties like West Bengal and Odisha.
5. More Centralized Power – Modi and Amit Shah’s leadership has led to tighter control over governance and party decisions.
6. Transformation of Election Campaigns – BJP has redefined election strategies using data analytics, digital outreach, and aggressive campaigning.
7. New Foreign Policy Approach – BJP has pursued stronger diplomatic relations with major global powers like the U.S. and Russia, while taking a tougher stance on Pakistan and China.

BJP’s rise has reshaped Indian politics, shifting from Congress-led secularism and socialism to right-wing nationalism and centralized governance. However, political opposition and economic challenges will continue to influence the future landscape.