Political Parties

Political Parties

By Mr. Siddharth Chandrasekar

Why do we need political parties ? • To organise elections and to form Governments

What is a political party? • It is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the Government

What do political parties do? • They agree on policies and programmes to promote collective good • Persuade people to know why their policies are better than others • They seek to implement policies by winning popular support through elections • They reflect fundamental political divisions in a society • They are a part of society and

What are the three components of a political • Leaders • Active Members • Followers

Functions of a Political Party... • They contest elections, select candidates & puts forward policies • They make a decisive role in making laws • Parties form and run Governments • Opposition checks the Government and preserves democracy • Parties shape public opinion • Parties provide people access to Government machinery and

What will be the situation without Political Parties ? • Independent candidates will be there • No promise would be made with regard to policy changes • Governmental unity will be at stake • Representatives will be accountable to their constituency but not responsible

What are the needs fulfilled by Political Parties ? • Representation • Parties gather views on various issues and present it to the Government • Parties bring various representatives to form responsible Government • Parties have the mechanism to support or restrain Government, make policies, justify or oppose them • Parties are a necessary condition for democracy

How many parties should we have? • One party system • Example - China – Communist Party of China • Two Party /Bi Party • Example - U.S.A. and U.K. • Multi Party –several parties compete and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power on their own strength or in alliance(coalition government)

What is an Alliance or Front • Joining ? of several parties for

contesting elections and winning power Effects of multi party

system... •

Political scenario becomes messy • Political instability • Various interests and opinions to enjoy political representation

Why has India gone in for a multi party system?

• Social and geographical diversity is not easily absorbed by two or three

Political Parties... National Parties • They have units in various states .Have same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at national level • Secure at least 6% of votes in Lok Sabhaor assembly elections in 4 states and win at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha • Example - Congress I, Bharatiya Janata Party What are recognised political parties? • They are recognised by the Election Commission by giving symbols

Political Parties… State Party • Must have secured 6% of total votes in an election to legislature of a state and win at least 2 seats • Example DMK, Telugu Desam & AIADMK Name some State Parties that have National level political organisations ? • Samajwadi Party, Samata Party &

What are the challenges to Political Parties ? Lack of Internal Democracy • Concentration of power in one or few leaders • No membership register, no meetings, no internal elections and insufficient information for ordinary members • They do not have scope to influence decisions Dynasty Succession • Leaders have unfair advantage to favour people close to them • Do not practice open and transparent procedure for functioning

What are the challenges to Political Parties ? Money & Muscle Power • They focus on elections • Use short cut methods to win • Moneyed candidates come to power • Rich tend to influence • Criminals are supported in order to win elections Offering of Meaningful Choice • Decline in ideological differences • Agreement on fundamental aspects • Narrowing down of differences on economic policies

How can we reform Political Parties? • Elected MLA’S & MP’S should not defect • Reduction of influence of money • Parties to hold their organisational elections & file income tax returns • Regulation of internal affairs of political parties • Mandatory for political parties to give minimum number of tickets • State funding of elections • People can petition political parties • Political parties can improve if those