Party System in India (for Class 12 Students)
Questions:
Which party dominated Indian politics for a long period after independence?
Congress
What term describes a system where one party consistently wins elections despite others existing?
Dominance
What type of party system does India currently largely exemplify, with multiple parties?
Multi-party
What is formed when no single party secures a majority in elections?
Coalition
What kind of parties focus primarily on the interests of a specific state or region?
Regional
In which year did the first non-Congress government form at the Centre?
1977
What term did Rajni Kothari use to describe the unique nature of Congress dominance?
Congress
A situation where no party or pre-election alliance wins an absolute majority in a legislature is called a ______ Parliament.
Hung
Which major regional party is prominent in Tamil Nadu?
DMK (or AIADMK, but DMK is generally taught as a primary example)
What aspect of India's political structure do regional parties often strengthen?
Federalism
What is the main characteristic of the era that began in India around 1989?
Coalitions
What kind of party has its presence and influence spread across the entire country?
National
What is the process of multiple parties joining forces to govern called?
Coalition
What factor contributed significantly to the decline of one-party dominance from the states?
Regional
What describes the overall structure of competition and interaction among political parties in a country?
System
Short Answer Questions (Answer in 2-4 sentences)
1. What is meant by a one-party dominant system?
Answer: A one-party dominant system refers to a democratic setup where numerous parties are allowed to contest elections, but one single party consistently wins and holds power for an extended period. This dominance is based on popular consensus and electoral success, not on any legal restrictions against other parties, as was the case with the Indian National Congress after independence.
2. Identify any two key features of the ‘Congress System’.
Answer: Two key features of the ‘Congress System’, as described by Rajni Kothari, were its ‘umbrella’ nature and its ability to manage factions. It acted as an umbrella by accommodating diverse ideologies and interest groups, and it managed internal factionalism by treating factions as part of the ruling coalition rather than as opposition.
3. Define coalition politics.
Answer: Coalition politics refers to a system of governance where two or more political parties come together to form a government, sharing ministries and responsibilities. This usually occurs when no single party secures a clear majority in the legislature after an election, leading to a 'hung parliament'.
4. Mention any two reasons for the rise of regional parties in India.
Answer: Two primary reasons for the rise of regional parties are the growing assertion of regional and cultural identities, which people felt were not being adequately represented by national parties, and the failure of national parties to address specific regional economic and social issues effectively.
5. What is the difference between a one-party system and a one-party dominant system?
Answer: A one-party system is an authoritarian system where only one political party is legally permitted to exist and hold power. In contrast, a one-party dominant system is democratic, allowing multiple parties to compete freely, but one party maintains its position of power over a long period through repeated electoral victories.
6. When did the era of coalitions in India begin at the national level?
Answer: The era of coalitions at the national level effectively began after the general election of 1989. In this election, no single party, including the Congress, was able to secure a majority, leading to the formation of a coalition government led by the National Front.
7. State the criteria laid down by the Election Commission for a party to be recognized as a 'National Party'.
Answer: A party is recognized as a National Party if it secures at least 6% of valid votes polled in any four or more states in a general election (to Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly) and wins at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states. Alternatively, it must win at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least three different states.
8. How do regional parties strengthen democracy and federalism?
Answer: Regional parties strengthen democracy by giving a voice to diverse regional and cultural groups, ensuring their concerns are heard at the national level. They strengthen federalism by advocating for greater state autonomy and preventing the over-centralization of power, thus upholding the balance between the Centre and the states.
9. Name two major coalition alliances that have been prominent in Indian politics.
Answer: Two major coalition alliances in Indian politics are the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which was led by the Indian National Congress (INC).
10. What was the verdict of the 1977 general election?
Answer: The 1977 general election resulted in a landmark verdict where the Indian National Congress was defeated for the first time at the national level. The Janata Party, a newly formed coalition of several opposition parties, won a decisive majority, marking the end of the Emergency and the first major break in Congress dominance.
Long Answer Questions (Answer in 150-200 words)
1. "The era of one-party dominance has given way to a multi-party coalition system in India." Analyze the major factors responsible for this significant transformation in the Indian party system.
Answer: The transformation of the Indian party system from one-party dominance under the Congress to a multi-party coalition system has been driven by several interconnected factors. First, the decline of the Congress party's 'umbrella' character was crucial. As the party became more centralized and less accommodative of internal factions and diverse interests, many groups broke away to form their own parties. Second, the rise of powerful regional parties was a direct consequence. Leaders articulating strong regional identities, cultures, and demands for state autonomy gained immense popularity. Parties like the DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Akali Dal in Punjab, and later the TDP in Andhra Pradesh, challenged Congress's national narrative and won power in their states, fragmenting the national vote. Third, the rise of 'Mandal' politics in the 1990s, focusing on the empowerment of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), led to the emergence of several new parties based on caste and social justice planks, further dividing the vote base of national parties. Finally, the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an alternative national pole based on Hindutva ideology provided a clear national alternative to the Congress, but it often required coalition partners to form a government. Together, these factors ended the era of single-party majorities and ushered in the era of coalition politics, making governance more federal, representative, and complex.
2. Critically evaluate the role of regional political parties in Indian democracy. Do they strengthen or weaken the nation?
Answer: Regional political parties play a complex and dual role in Indian democracy, and whether they strengthen or weaken the nation is a matter of debate with valid arguments on both sides.
On one hand, regional parties significantly strengthen democracy and the federal structure. They give political expression to diverse regional, linguistic, and cultural identities that might otherwise be marginalized by national parties. By focusing on local issues and demands, they make the political process more representative and responsive to the grassroots. In the era of coalitions, they have acted as crucial kingmakers, ensuring that regional aspirations are reflected in national policy-making and preventing the over-centralization of power in New Delhi. This bargaining has reinforced India's federal character.
On the other hand, critics argue that regional parties can weaken the nation. Their narrow focus can sometimes promote regionalism over national interest, leading to divisive politics and demands that can strain national unity, such as disputes over river water or state boundaries. Furthermore, in coalition governments, their pressure-politics for state-specific benefits can lead to policy paralysis and compromise national economic or security agendas. Their political power is often built around a single charismatic leader, which can lead to a lack of internal party democracy.
In conclusion, while regional parties can pose challenges to national unity through parochial demands, their overall impact has been to make Indian democracy more inclusive, federal, and representative. They act as a vital check on central authority and ensure that India's vast diversity is accommodated within its political framework.
