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political party, they will share the common
Indian National Congress
ideology and agenda and form a group. If a
political party secures more than one-half of the (INC)
seats, its leader forms the government, that is, he
becomes either the prime minister at the centre or Nationalist Congress Party
the chief minister at the state. Thus, we see that
(NCP)
the presence of political parties is essential for the
functioning of democracy.
Merits of a Political Party
Definition of Political Party
A political party awakens the people of their rights
A political party is a group of individuals who
and the functioning of the government. It raises
share or profess a common ideology and seek to important local, national and international issues.
form the government by peaceful means.
Demerits of a Political Party
Functions of a Political Party
It is often seen that a political party in opposition
A political party issues its election manifesto, in opposes all actions of the government only for the
which it states the objectives for which it will sake of opposition, and not for constructive
work if voted to power. The other political parties
purposes. The ultimate aim of all parties is to
point out the shortcomings in the election secure power, and to attain this motive, they often
manifestos of other political parties and thus make incite and divide people on regional, communal,
the people aware. Upon election, the candidates
lingual and caste lines. Many political parties in
of different political parties act according to their India at present can be identified with certain
ideologies and manifestos. The members of the groups of people. Under the present
political party in power try to execute the election
circumstances, the leaders of different parties have
manifesto, while those in the opposition criticise assumed many powers, and their sole purpose
the government. Thus, the opposition checks the seems to be to earn as much money as possible.
government from becoming authoritarian. The
political party in opposition raises issues of public Though the presence of political parties is an
interest. It can also move adjourn motions and obstacle in the realisation of people’s will, yet
their existence is inevitable because democracy
non-confidence motions against the government.
cannot function without them.
Symbols of some political parties :
Bi-Party or Multi-Party System
Party Symbol National Parties The presence of political parties is essential for a
democratic system to exist. A country can have a
Bahujan Samaj Party
bi-party system or multi-party system. In a bi-party
(BSP) system, only two major political parties function;
there may or may not be some minor parties. In a
Bhartiya Janata Party multi-party system, there are a number of political
parties at the national and state levels. Both
(BJP)
systems have their merits and demerits.
Bi-Party System
Communist Party of India
(CPI) In a bi-party system, the government is formed by
one of the two parties. This type of government is
stable. The people can easily know which party
Communist Party of India has not worked well. But, the party in power can
Marxist (CPI-M) become authoritarian since it commands more
than one-half of the members. This system does
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