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Unit-3, Political Science (Democratic Politics-II), , 7, , Political Parties, , Topics covered, 1. Why do we need Political Parties?, 3. National Parties and State Parties, 5. How can Parties be reformed?, , 2. How Many Parties should we have?, 4. Challenges to Political Parties, , chapter Chart, Political Parties, Meaning: Group of people, who come together to contest, elections and hold power in, the government., • Reflect, fundamental, political divisions in a, society., • Known by which part it, stands for which policies, it supports and whose, protests it upholds., Component: Leaders, active, members and followers., , Necessity:, • No one candidate will, be able to make any, promises to the people, about any major changes., • Government will remain ever uncertain., • Elected representatives, will be accountable to, their constituency., • No one will be responsible for how the country, will be run., , Functions:, • Contest elections by selecting, their candidates in different, ways., • Members and supporters of a, party choose its candidates in, the USA., • Top party leaders choose, candidates, for, contesting, elections in India., • Put forward different policies, and programmes., • Play a decisive role in making, laws., • Form and run governments., • Shape public opinion., • Provide access to government, machinery and welfare scheme., , How many Parties should we have?, , • One-party system ruled, in China, where electoral, system doesn’t permit free, competition for power., , • Not a good option as this is, not a democratic option., , • Two-party system ruled in, , the USA and the UK, where, only the two main parties, have a serious chance of, winning majority of seats, to form government., , 142, , • Multi-party, , system, ruled in India, where the, government is formed by, various parties coming, together in a coalition., , •, , Allows a variety of protests, and opinions to enjoy, political representation.

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Criteria for Political Party, National Party, • Have a unique symbol which can be, used by the official candidates., • Most secure at least 6% of the total, votes in the Lok Sabha elections or, Assembly elections in four states., • Must win at least four seats in the, Lok Sabha., , Challenges to Political Parties, • Lack of internal democracy within parties, • Dynastic succession., • Growing role of money and muscle power, in parties., • Don’t seem to offer a meaningful choice to, the voters., • Decline in the ideological differences, among parties., • Party leaders often misuse their powers., , State/Regional Party, • Party that are present in only, one of the federal units., , • Must secure at least 6% of, the total votes in an election, to the Legistative Assembly., , • Must win at least two seats in, State Assembly., , How can parties be reformed?, • The Constitution amended to, prevent the elected representatives, in Defection., • SC made it mandatory for every, candidate to file affidavit., • EC made it necessary for political, parties to hold their organisational, elections and file their income tax, returns., , 1. Why Do We Need Political Parties?, • Political Parties are one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. For most ordinary citizens, democracy, is equal to political parties., • A political party in a group of people, who come together to contest election and hold power in the, government. They try to persuade people why their policies are better than others. A political party has, three components—the leaders, the active members and the followers., • The political parties perform various functions like—00contesting elections, putting forward different, policies and programmes, making laws for the country, form and run the governments, shape public opinion,, provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes., • Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power, by voicing different, views and criticising government for its failures or wrong policies., • Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties. In case there are no political parties every, candidate in the election will be independent and no leader will be able to make any promise to the people, about any major policy change., • Political parties act as a link between the government and the masses. Thus, the rise of political parties is, directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies., , Exercise 7.1, I. Objective Type Questions, , (1 Mark), , 1. Choose the correct answer from the given options (MCQs), (i) Which is the most visible institution of democracy?, (a) Elections, (b) Political parties, (c) Adult franchise , (d) Seats reservation, (ii) Which of the following is the characteristic of a political party?, (a) Every party has a certain structure. The group of people is organised in a proper way. Every, member is aware of his role and responsibilities in the party., , Political Parties 143

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(b) All the members agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to promote, the collective good. They seek to implement these policies by winning popular support through, elections., (c) Political parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society. Parties are about a part of, the society and thus involve partnership., (d) All of the above, (iii) What does the opposition party do?, (a) They keep a close eye on the ruling party and criticise the wrong steps taken by the ruling, party., (b) They ensure that the ruling party does not misuse its power., (c) They highlight some issues and pressurise the government to fulfil their demands., (d) All of the above, 2. Assertion and Reasoning Type Question, In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read, the statements and choose the correct option:, , Assertion (A): We need political party., , Reason (R): Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country., Options:, , (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A., , (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A., , (c) A is true but R is false., , (d) A is false but R is true., , II. Very Short Answer Type Questions, , , 3., , 4., , 5., , 6., , What do you mean by ‘Ruling Party’?, How do parties run the government of a country?, How do the parties select their candidates?, What is partisanship?, , III. Short Answer Type Questions, , (1 Mark), , (3 Marks), , , 7. What is a political party? Write its functions., , 8. How do political parties form public opinion?, , 9. What are the disadvantages of political parties?, , IV. Long Answer Type Questions, , , , (5 Marks), , , 10. State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy? or, [NCERT], Explain the importance of political parties in modern democracy. or, Describe any five major functions of political parties. , [CBSE 2015], , 11. What is the need of political parties? or, “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy”. Analyse the statement with examples. , OR, [CBSE 2016], Why can’t modern democracies exist without the political parties? Explain any four reasons. , , or, [CBSE 2011], Imagine a situation without political parties in the country and describe it., OR, Explain the necessity of political parties in a democracy., [AI 2019], , 12. Explain two functions each of the ruling party as well of the opposition parties., , [CBSE 2012], , 13. “Political parties play a major role in democracy.” Explain any five points to justify this statement., OR, [CBSE 2012], “Political parties are rightly called the government in disguise.” Justify the statement in reference to, democratic politics by giving five arguments., [CBSE 2012], OR, Describe any five major functions of political parties performed in a democracy.,  [CBSE 2018], OR, , 144, , Social Science-10

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Explain the role of political parties in a democracy., OR, Describe the role of political party in India.  OR, Describe the role of political parties in modern democracy., , 14. Describe the role of opposition party in democracy.   OR, Explain any three functions of opposition political parties., , [AI 2019], [CBSE SP 2019-20], [Delhi 2020], [CBSE 2020], [Delhi 2019], , Answers, , 1. (i)–(a), (ii)–(d), (iii)–(d) , 2. (a), , 3. A political party that run the government is called a ruling party., , 4. Parties recruit leaders, train them and make them ministers to run the government in the way they, want., , 5. Parties select their candidates in different ways:, (i) In USA: The members and supporters of a party choose its candidate., (ii) In India: Top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections., , 6. Partisanship is marked with a tendency to take a side and inability to take a balanced view on an issue., , 7. A political party is a group of people who aim to attain power in the government through the elections., In other words, it is a group of people with similar policies and programmes, who come together to, contest elections and hold power in the government., , Its functions:, (i) They formulate various policies and programmes for the society., (ii) They work for the collective public interest., (iii) They agree on some programmes and policies for the society with a view to promote collective good., 8. • The political parties talk about their policies in the public and try to gain support for their, policies and programmes., • They organize demonstrations, public meetings and speeches to tell the voters about their policies., • They sometimes launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by people., • They raise and highlight issues and their lakhs of members and activists spread all over the, country., 9. Disadvantages or Demerits of Political Parties:, (i) Some leaders of political parties indulge in corrupt means such as rigging, unfair means, boothcapturing to capture power., (ii) Top leaders of political parties concentrate all powers in their hands and dominate over the others, ministers., (iii) Some political parties divide people on caste, religion, region and language basis and create, factionalism (division)., (iv) Some political parties encourage casteism and communalism to keep their vote-bank intact., , 10. Refer to Ans. 13., , 11. “Political parties are necessary condition for a democracy” because:, (i) We cannot think modern democracies without political parties. In case there are no political parties, every candidate in the elections will be independent, no one will be able to make any promises to, the people about any major policy changes. The government may be formed, but its utility will, remain always uncertain., (ii) Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency for what they do in the locality., But, no one will be responsible for how the country will run. Just look at the non-party based, elections to the Panchayats in many states., (iii) Political parties agree on policies and programmes to promote collective good and influence people, to know why their policy is better than others. They try to implement the policies by winning, popular support through elections. They reflect fundamental division in a society., (iv) The absence of political parties would affect a democracy badly. The interest of all the people, would not reach the Parliament, and, therefore, some sections of people would remain behind the, mainstream. They won’t get all the welfare measures., (v) The role of opposition party in a democracy necessitates the existence of political parties., , Political Parties 145

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(vi) As societies become large and complex they also need some agencies to gather different views on, various issues and to present these to the government, that’s why political parties are needed., , 12. Functions of the ruling parties:, (i) They play a major role in making laws for the country., (ii) They form the government and run the country., (iii) They recruit leaders, train them and then make ministers to run the government., Functions of the opposition parties:, (i) They oppose the government by voicing different views., (ii) They criticise government for its failure and wrong policies., (iii) They mobilise opposition to the government., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012], , 13. In a democracy political parties performed the following major functions:, (i) In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties., Parties select their candidates in different ways. In India top party leaders choose candidates for, contesting elections., (ii) Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them. In a, democracy, a large number of similar opinions have to be grouped together to provide a direction in, which policies can be formulated by the governments. A government is expected to base its policies, on the line taken by the Ruling party., (iii) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally laws are debated and passed, in the legislature. But since most of the members belong to a party, they go by the direction of the, party leadership, irrespective of their personal opinions., (iv) Parties form and run governments. Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make them, ministers to run the government in the way they want., (v) Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power by voicing, different views and criticising government for its failure or wrong policies., (vi) Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues. Parties sometimes also launch, movements for the resolution of problems faced by people. Often opinions in the society crystallise, on the lines parties take., (vii) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by, governments., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2018], , 14. The role of opposition party in democracy:, (i) To criticise the government for its failures or wrong policies., (ii) They mobilise opposition to the government., (iii) To check the government from becoming authoritarian and restrict its powers., (iv) To safeguard the liberty and rights of the people., (v) They have the right to check the undue expenditure of the government., (vi) During the question hour, the opposition parties criticise the government generally., , 2. How many Parties should We Have?, , • Every democratic country has large number of political parties because in a democracy any group of citizens, is free to form a political party. In India more than 750 parties are registered with the Election Commission, of India., • Some countries have one party system like-China, where only Communist Party is allowed to rule., • Some countries have two party system like the United States of America and the United Kingdom., • Some countries have more than two parties called multi-party system like in India., • When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning, power, it is called an alliance or front. E.g., The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), The United Progressive, Alliance (UPA), the Left Front., • India has involved a multi party system because of its social and geographical diversity., , Exercise 7.2, I. Objective Type Questions, 1. Choose the correct answer from the given options (MCQs), (i) Which one of the following countries has one-party system?, (a) India, (b) UK, (c) USA, (d) China, , 146, , Social Science-10, , (1 Mark)

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(ii) Several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming, to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others. It is called, (a) Multi-party system, (b) One-party system, (c) Bi-party system , (d) None of these, 2. Fill in the blanks, , (i) More than __________ parties are registered with the Election Commission of India., (a) 800, (b) 900, (c) 750, (d) 650, , (ii) ________ has a Bi-party system., (a) Pakistan, (b) India, (c) Britain, (d) China, , II. Very Short Answer Type Question, , , , (1 Mark), , , 3. It is a good democratic set-up to have one party system. Explain., , III. Short Answer Type Questions, , , , (3 Marks), , , 4. Describe any three main features of Two-Party system. , [CBSE 2015], , 5. What is a multi-party system? Why has India adopted a multi-party system? Explain. [CBSE 2015], , 6. What do you understand by the bi-party system? Write its one merit and one demerit., , [CBSE 2012, CBSE 2018], , IV. Case Based Questions, , (4 Marks), , 7. Read the source given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate, option., If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming, to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we call it a multiparty system. Thus, in India, we have a multiparty system. In this system, the government is formed by various parties, coming together in a coalition. When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose, of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front. For example, in India there, were three such major alliances in 2004 parliamentary elections–the National Democratic Alliance,, the United Progressive Alliance and the Left Front. The multiparty system often appears very messy, and leads to political instability. At the time, this system allows a variety of interests and opinions to, enjoy political representation., , 7.1. Which of the following statements associated with the advantage of multiparty system?, (a) It provides choice to the voters., (b) It provides no choice to the voters., (c) Regional parties get the representation., (d) There is a possibility of conflict., , 7.2. Which of the following statements is correct about a coalition government?, (a) Many parties compete for power., (b) The government is formed by two or more parties coming together., (c) Two parties only form an alliance and contest election., (d) Only one party comes in power., , 7.3. Which country has adopted multi-party system?, , 7.4. Which coalition government is in power at centre India in present?, , V. Long Answer Type Questions , , (5 Marks), , , 8. Describe the various party systems existing in different countries. OR, , Discuss the classification of party system on the basis of the number of parties in the, , political system., , 9. What is the need of the political parties? How would its absence affect any country?, [HOTS], OR, , What is the necessity of political parties in a democratic set-up? Explain any four points. [Foreign 2010], 10. What is a multi-party system? Explain merits and demerits of multi-party system., [CBSE 2012], , Political Parties 147

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Answers, 1. (i)–(d), (ii)–(a), 2. (i)–(c), (ii)–(c), , 3. We cannot consider one party system as a good option because this is not a democratic set-up., Any democratic system must allow at least two parties to compete in elections and provide a foes chance, for the competing parties to come to powers., , 4. Main features of two-party system:, (i) Power usually changes between two parties, several other parties may exist., (ii) In such system, people get clear choice., (iii) The party that wins majority forms the government and the other sits in opposition., (iv) Strong opposition is good for democracy., (v) Prompt decisions are taken and implemented., (vi) More development and less corruption. , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015], , 5. If several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to, power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we call it a multi-party system., India adopted a multi party system because:, (i) There is social and geographical diversity in India., (ii) India is such a large country which is not easily absorbed by two or three parties., (iii) The system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015], , 6. In bi-party system, the government is formed by one party and the other plays the role of opposition., Bi-party in some countries, power usually changes between two main parties. It is also known as two, party system., Merit: This system allows stability of government as no coalition is there., , Demerit: In this system, only two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority seats to form, the government., 7. 7.1. (a)     7.2. (b)     7.3. India     7.4. National Democratic Alliance (NDA), , 8. A political party is a group of people that aims to control the government to carry out their general, policies. Different countries have different party system like:, (i) One Party system in China, (ii) Two-Party system in USA/UK, (iii) Multi-Party system in India, , One Party System: There is only one party in the political system. There is no competition in the system, and people have no choice in the elections. The people are not allowed to go against the government and, form their own new parties. For example, Communist party of China., , Two Party System: Some countries have two major parties in the system only the two main parties, have a serious chance of winning majority seats to form the government. For example, USA and UK., , Multi-Party System: Refer to Ans. 5., 9. (i) We cannot think modern democracies without political parties. In case there are no political parties, every candidate in the elections will be independent, no one will be able to make any promises to the, people about any major policy changes. The government may be formed, but its utility will remain, always uncertain., (ii) Elected representatives will be account- able to their constituency for what they do in the locality., But, no one will be responsible for how the country will run. Just look at the non-party based, elections to the Panchayats in many states. Although, the parties do not contest formally, it is, generally noticed that the village gets split into more than one faction, each of which puts up a, ‘panel’ of its candidates. This is why we find political parties in almost all countries of the world., (iii) Political parties agree on policies and programmes to promote collective good and influence people, to know why their policy is better than others. They try to implement the policies by winning, popular support through elections. They reflect fundamental division in a society., , 148, , Social Science-10

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(iv) The absence of political parties would affect a democracy badly. The interest of all the people, would not reach the Parliament and, therefore, some sections of people would remain behind the, mainstream. They won’t get all the welfare measures., , 10. Refer to Ans. 5 (Multi-party system), Merits :, (i) This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation., (ii) People can make a choice between several candidates., , Demerits:, (i) No one party is likely to gain power alone. Therefore, it leads to difficulty in formation of government., (ii) Leads to political instability and often appears to be very messy.  [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012], , 3. National Parties and State Parties, • National Parties are countrywide parties, which have their units in various states, but all, their units follow the same policies and programmes that is decided at the national level., A party that secures at least 6% of total votes in the Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states, and win at least 4 seats is recognised as a National Party, for example; INC, BJP, BSP, CPI-M, CPI, NCP,, AITC and NPP (As per 2019)., • State Parties are commonly referred to as regional parties. A party that secures at least 6% of the total, votes in an election to the legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least 2 seats is recognised as a State, Party, for example; Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, DMK, AIADMK, etc., , I. Objective Type Questions, , Exercise 7.3, , (1 Mark), , , 1. Fill in the blanks, , (i) The _______ is a national party., (a) Aam Aadmi Party, (b) Rashtriya Janata Dal, (c) Samajwadi Party, (d) Bharatiya Janata Party, , (ii) _________ recognises a party as National Party or State Party., (a) The President of India, (b) The Prime Minister of India, (c) The Election Commission of India, (d) The Chief Election Commission, 2. Match the following, National Parties, Foundation year, (i) CPI, (a) 1964, (ii) INC, (b) 1999, (iii) BJP, (c) 1885, (iv) CPI-M, (d) 1980, (v) NCP, (e) 1925, , 3. Correct the following statement and rewrite, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed under the leadership of Mayawati., [CBSE 2020], , 4. Assertion and Reasoning Type Question, In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read, the statements and choose the correct option:, , Assertion (A): INC is one of the oldest parties in the world., , Reason (R): Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern secular, democratic republic in India., Options:, (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A., , Political Parties 149

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(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A., (c) A is true but R is false., (d) A is false but R is true., , II. Very Short Answer Type Question, , , , (1 Mark), , , 5. What is the requirement laid down by the Election Commission for a political party to be recognized as, a ‘State Party’?, [CBSE 2015], , III. Short Answer Type Questions, , , , (3 Marks), , , 6. What is meant by a ‘national political party’? State the conditions required to be a national political, party., [CBSE 2016], , 7. Name the national political party which espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and, minorities. Mention any four features of that party. , [CBSE 2013], , 8. What is a political party? State any two points of the ideology of Bharatiya Janata Party?, [CBSE 2016], , 8. Describe about the ideology and organisation of Bahujan Samaj Party., [CBSE 2016], , 10. What is meant by ‘regional political party’? State the condition required to be recognised as a ‘regional, political party’., [CBSE 2016], , 11. Name the ‘regional political parties’ that are predominant in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha, respectively with their symbols., [CBSE 2014], , 12. “Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be a part of one or the other, national level coalition.” Support the statement with arguments. [CBSE 2016, , 13. State the conditions as laid down by the Election Commission to recognize a ‘state party’ and ‘national, party’., [CBSE 2014], , IV. Long Answer Type Questions, , (5 Marks), , , 14. What is meant by national parties? State the criteria for recognizing a party as National and State, party., [CBSE 2012], , 15. Write the difference between National and state parties., , 16. Write about the national parties of India in detail., , Answers, (i)–(d), (ii)–(c), 2. (i)–(e), (ii)–(c), (iii)–(d), (iv)–(a), (v)–(b), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed under the leadership of Kanshi Ram., (b), A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of, a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015], , 6. National political party have units in the various states, they follow the same policies, programmes and, strategy that is decided at the national level., Conditions required:, (i) A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in general elections of Lok Sabha or assembly, elections in four states., (ii) Wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016], , 7. The national political party which espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities is the, Indian National Congress. Four features of this party are listed below:, (i) Founded in 1885., (ii) Dominated Indian politics, both at the national and state levels, for several decades after India’s, independence., (iii) Ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its support declined., (iv) A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation., , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2013], , 8. A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the, government. They agree on some policies and programmers for the society with a view to promote the, collective good., Ideology of BJP :, (i) Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India., 1., 3., , 4., , 5., , 150, , Social Science-10

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(ii) A uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion., (iii) Cultural nationalism., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016], , 9. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram, draws inspiration, from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj., Features of BSP:, (i) It stands for the cause of securing the interests and welfare of the dalits and oppressed people., (ii) It has its main base in the state of Uttar Pradesh and substantial presence in neighbouring states, like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab., (iii) It formed government in Uttar Pradesh several times by taking support of different parties at, different times., , 10. A regional party is a party that is present in only some states. Conditions required for a party to be, recognized as a regional political party are:, (i) A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative, Assembly of a state., (ii) Wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly. , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016], , 11. Jharkhand – Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Maharashtra – Shiv Sena, Odisha – Biju Janata Dal (BJD), [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014], , 12. State parties seeking national level coalition: Before general election of 2014, in three general elections,, no one national party was able to secure on its Own a majority in Lok Sabha. With the result, the, national parties were compelled to form alliances with state or regional parties. Since 1996, nearly, everyone of the state parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level, coalition government. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy. , , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016], , 13. The difference between a state and a national party can be identified as follows:, (i) In a state party, the party members aim to highlight the regional interests. On the other hand, a, national party gives due importance to national interests., (ii) A state party can contest in elections only in a particular state, whereas a national party can, contest in elections all across the country., (iii) Example: BJP and Congress are national parties, whereas Akali Dal and Trinamool Congress are, state level parties. , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014], , 14. Democracies that follow a federal system all over the world tend to have two kinds of political parties., Parties that are present in only one of the federal units and parties that are present in several or all, units of the federation. Those parties which are countrywide parties are called national parties., State and National Parties:, (i) A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative, Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party., (ii) A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in the Lok Sabha elections or Assembly, elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognized as a national, party., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012], 15., , National Party, , State Party, , (i) These parties have influence all over the, (i) The influence of a state party is limited to a, country or in several states., state or a region., (ii) These parties take interest in national as (ii) State parties are interested in promoting, well as international issues., regional/state interest., (iii) A party that secures at least six per cent (iii) A party that secures at least six per cent votes, of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or, in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a, assembly elections in four states and win, state and wins at least two seats is recognised, at least four seats in the Lok Sabha., as a state party., (iv) These parties have been given unique (iv) Some symbols can be used in different states by, symbols by the Election Commission., the regional parties., (v) Example– Indian National Congress, (v) Example– Haryana Lok Dal in Haryana, Shiv, Bharatiya Janata Party., Sena in Maharashtra., , Political Parties 151

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16. In India, now we have eight national parties. They are, (i) Indian National Congress (INC): The Congress Party was founded in 1885. It played an important, role in Indian politics at the national and state levels after the independence. The party supports, secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities., (ii) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): It was founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya, Jana Sangh. Wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient, culture and values; and Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ideas of integral humanism and Antyodaya., Cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’) is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood, and politics., In 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, BJP won 282 seats and emerged as a largest party. In 2019 Lok Sabha, Elections, again BJP got victory. This time it won 303 seats and once again emerged as a largest, party. Currently leads the ruling National democratic government at the centre with Narendra, Modi as the Prime Minister since 2014., (iii) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): It was formed in 1984, under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. The, party seeks to represent and secure the power for Bahujan Samaj which includes dalits, adivasis,, OBCs and religious minorities. It draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj,, Mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb Ambedkar. It stands for the cause of, securing interest and welfare of dalits and oppressed people., (iv) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M): It was founded in 1964. The party believes in, Marxism and Leninism. It supports socialism, secularism and democracy and opposes imperialism, and communalism. It accepts democratic elections as useful means to secure the objective of socioeconomic justice in India., (v) Communist Party of India (CPI): It was formed in 1925. The party believes in Marxism and, Leninism, secularism and democracy and is opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism., It accepts parliamentary democracy as the means of promoting the interest of working class, farmers, and the poor., (vi) National Congress Party (NCP): It was formed in 1999 following a split in Congress Party. The, party supports democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and federalism. It wants, high offices in the government to be confined to the natural born citizens., (vii) All India Trinamool Congress (AITC): It was founded on 1 January 1998 under the leadership of, Mamata Banerjee. The flag of the party is symbolised from ‘flowers and grass’. It believes in secularism, and federalism party in the Lok Sabha., (viii) The National People’s Party (NPP): The Party was founded by PA Sangma after his expulsion, from the NCP in July 2012. It was accorded National Party status on 7 June 2019. It is the first, political party from northeastern India to have attained this status. Its election symbol is a book., , 4. Challenges to Political Parties, • Parties are the most visible face of democracy, it is natural that people blame parties for whatever is wrong, with the working of democracy., • They need to face and overcome the following challenges in order to remain effective instruments of, democracy:, (i) Lack of internal democracy, (ii) Dynastic succession, (iii) Money and Muscle Power, (iv) Meaningful choice to the voters, (v) Corruption, , Exercise 7.4, I. Objective Type Questions , 1. Choose the correct answer from the given options (MCQs), (i) Today democratic countries are worried about the increasing role of:, (a) rich people , (b) large companies, (c) both (a) and (b) , (d) politicians, (ii) Every political party in India has to register itself with the, (a) Election Commission, (b) Prime Minister of India, (c) Parliament of India, (d) President of India, , 152, , Social Science-10, , (1 Mark)

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2. State whether the following statements are true or false, (i) In India, people express strong dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform their, functions well., (ii) In India, ordinary members of the political party get all internal informations of the party., (iii) It is good that political parties tend to use short-cuts to win elections., , II. Very Short Answer Type Question, , , , (1 Mark), , , 3. What are the various challenges faced by a political party? OR, Mention the challenges faced by a political party in democracies all over the world., , III. Short Answer Type Questions, , , , [NCERT], , (3 Marks), , , 4. “Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political parties.” Analyse the, statement. , [CBSE 2015], , 5. “All over the world, people express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform, their functions well.” Analyse the statement with arguments., [CBSE 2016], , 6. Which three challenges do you feel are being faced by political parties in India? Give your opinion., , [CBSE 2016], , 7. Explain any four problem areas in the working of political parties., [CBSE 2012], , 8. Why were democrats from all over the world worried about the increasing role of rich people and big, companies in democratic politics?, , IV. Case Based Questions, , (4 Marks), , , 9. Read the source given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate, option., We have seen how crucial political parties are for the working of democracy. Since parties are the, most visible face of democracy, it is natural that people blame parties for whatever is wrong with the, working of democracy. All over the world, people express strong dissatisfaction with the failure of, political parties to perform their functions well. This is the case in our country too., The parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters. In order to offer meaningful choice,, parties must be significantly different. In recent years there has been a decline in the ideological, differences among parties in most parts of the world. For example, the difference between the Labour, Party and the Conservative Party in Britain is very little. They agree on more fundamental aspects, but differ only in details on how policies are to be framed and implemented. In our country too, the, differences among all the major parties on the economic policies have reduced. Those who want really, different policies have no option available to them. Sometimes people cannot even elect very different, leaders either, because the same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another., , 9.1. Which of the following is one of the challenges within the political parties, (a) Lack of internal democracy, (b) Open and transparent procedures, (c) Growing role of money and muscle power, (d) All of the above, , 9.2. The fourth challenge is that very often parties do not seem to offer a ___________ to the voters., (a) dynastic succession, (b) meaningful choice, (c) democratic system, (d) money power, , 9.3. In which country does the labour party exist?, , 9.4. How are political parties viewed in a democracy?, , V. Long Answer Type Questions, , (5 Marks), , , 10. Mention the challenges faced by political parties in democracies all over the world. Explain in detail.,                            OR, [CBSE 2012], “Political parties need to face certain challenges in order to remain effective instrument of democracy.”, Explain the statement with examples., [CBSE 2020], , Political Parties 153

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11. Why is there a lack of internal democracy within the political parties in India? Explain with examples., , [CBSE 2012], , 12. How do money and muscle power play an important role in elections? Explain., [CBSE 2015], OR, Exhibit the role of money and muscle power among political parties during elections., [CBSE SP 2018-19], , 13. Illustrate the situations which display lack of internal democracy within a political party., , [CBSE SP 2018-19], , Answers, , 1. (i)–(c), (ii)–(a), 2. (i)–True, (ii)–False, (iii)–False, , 3. The various challenges faced by a political party are:, (i) Lack of internal democracy, (ii) Dynastic succession, (iii) Money and Muscle Power, (iv) Meaningful choice to the voters, (v) Corruption, , 4. Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political parties because:, (i) Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning., (ii) There are few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party., (iii) In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one family., (iv) This practice is unfair to other members of that party and is also bad for a democracy., (v) People who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy position of power., , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015], , 5. People express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform their functions well, because:, (i) Lack of internal democracy within parties., (ii) Dynastic succession. Growing role of money and muscle power in parties., (iii) There is not a meaningful choice to the voters. , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016], , 6. The challenges faced by political parties in India are:, (i) Lack of internal democracy., (ii) Challenge of dynastic succession, (iii) Growing role of money and muscle power., (iv) Often parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters., , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016], 7. (i) The first problem is lack of internal democracy within parties. Concentration of power in one or, few leaders at the top., (ii) Favour people close to them or even their family members. In many parties, the top positions are, always controlled by members of one family., (iii) The third problem is about growing role of money and muscle power in parties, especially during, elections., (iv) The fourth problem is that very often parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the, voters., , 8. Democrats all over the world are worried about the increasing role of rich people and big companies in, democratics politics because—, , (i) Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies, and decisions of the party., , (ii) Since parties are focussed only on winning elections therefore they tend to nominate those, candidates who have or can raise lots of money. These people manipulate the democratic elections, in their own ways., , 9. 9.1 (d), 9.2 (b), 9.3 Britain, 9.4 Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy., 10. Challenges faced by political parties are:, (i) Lack of internal democracy: All over the world, there is a tendency of political parties towards, the concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top., , 154, , Social Science-10

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• Parties do not keep membership register., • They do not regularly hold organisational meetings., • Ordinary members of the party do not have sufficient informations as to what happens inside, the party., • As a result, the leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party., (ii) Dynastic Succession: Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for, their functioning., • There are very few ways for an ordinary workers to rise to the top in a party., • In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one family. This is, unfair to other members of that party., • Some people who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy good, positions of power., (iii) Money and Muscle Power, • Since parties are focused only on winning elections, they tend to use shortcuts to win elections., • They tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money., • Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies, and decisions of the party., • In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections., • Democrats all over the world are worried about the increasing role of rich people and big, companies in democratic politics., (iv) Meaningful Choice: In recent years, there has been a decline in the ideological differences, among parties in most parts of the world., • Those who want really different policies have no option available to them., • Sometimes people cannot elect very different people either because some group of leaders, keep shifting from one party to another., (v) Corruption: It adversely affects the economy of the country. It is the big reason of inequalities in, the societies and communities. Sometimes leaders use their powers to earn illegal money in spite, of working for the country’s benefits., , 11. There are various reasons for lack of internal democracy within the political parties in India:, (i) Concentration of power in one or a few leaders at the top., (ii) Details of membership are not registered in the parties., (iii) No organisational meetings., (iv) No internal elections for membership within the party., (v) Top leaders have unanimous power of decision making., [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2012], , 12. Refer to Ans. 10 (Money and Muscle Power), , 13. Situations which display lack of internal democracy within a political party–, (i) Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings, and do not conduct, internal elections regularly., (ii) Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the, party., (iii) They do not have the means or the connections needed to influence the decisions. As a result the, leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party., (iv) Since one or few leaders exercise paramount power in the party, those who disagree with the, leadership find it difficult to continue in the party., (v) More than loyalty to party principles and policies, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more, important., , 5. How can Parties be Reformed?, • It is important to reform or strengthen the political parties. So, the Constitution was amended to prevent, defection., • The Supreme Court has passed order to reduce the influence of money and criminals. It is compulsory for, every candidate to file an affidavit and their income tax returns., , Political Parties 155

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• A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties and give about one-third seats to, women candidates., • There should be state funding of elections. This support could be given in kind: petrol, paper, telephone etc.,, or it could be given in cash on the basis of the votes secured by the party in the last election., • There are two other ways in which political party can be reformed. One, people can put pressure on political, parties and second, political parties can improve if those who want this join political parties., , Exercise 7.5, I. Objective Type Questions, , (1 Mark), , 1. Choose the correct answer from the given options (MCQs), (i) In which of the following Schedule of the Constitution of India deals with anti-defection low?, (a) Eighth Schedule, (b) Ninth Schedule, (c) Tenth Schedule, (d) Eleventh Schedule, (ii) Which among the following bodies passed an order making it necessary for poltical parties to hold, their organisational elections and file their income tax returns?, (a) The Election Commission, (b) The Supreme Court, (c) The President of India, (d) The Central Vigilance Commission, 2. Fill in the blanks, (i) The Constitution was amended to prevent elected ______________ and ______________ from changing, political parties., (ii) The ______________ of India passed an order making it necessary for political parties to file their, income tax returns., (iii) The quality of ______________ depends on the degree of public participation., , II. Very Short Answer Type Questions, , , , (1 Mark), , , 3. What is an affidavit?, , 4. How can democratic reforms be carried out by political parties?, , [Delhi 2019], , III. Short Answer Type Questions, , (3 Marks), , , , , 5. What is meant by ‘defection’ in democracy? Explain. , [CBSE 2014], , 6. What measures were adopted to prevent the practice of ‘defection.’, , 7. “Serious efforts were made by the legal organisations to reform political parties in India.” Support the, statement., [CBSE 2015], , 8. What is the role of an ordinary citizen in reforming the political parties? OR, “The quality of democracy depends on the degree of public participation.” Explain., , IV. Long Answer Type Questions, , , , (5 Marks), , , 9. Mention the laws made by the Election Commission to reform the political parties in India., , 10. Examine any two institutional amendments made by different institutions to reform political parties, and their leaders. OR, [CBSE 2016], Elucidate some of the recent efforts taken in our country to reform political parties and its leaders., , [CBSE 2016], , 11. Suggest and explain any five measures to reform political parties. OR, [CBSE 2016], Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well., [NCERT], OR, Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties., [CBSE 2012], OR, Suggest and explain any five ways to reform political parties in India., [CBSE S.P. 2020-21], , Answers, , , 1. (i)–(c), (ii)–(a), , 2. (i) MLAs ; MPs, (ii) Election Commission, (iii) democracy, , 3. A signed document submitted to an officer, where a person makes a clear statement regarding her/his, personal informations., , 156, , Social Science-10

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4. Democratic reforms be carried out by political parties through:, (i) A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties., (ii) It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members., 5. (i) Defection in politics means moving of a person from one party to another party for some personal, benefit. It means changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected to a, different party., (ii) It happens when a legislature, after having been elected from a particular party leaves it and joins, in other party., (iii) The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties. Now the, law says that if any MLA and MP changes parties, he or she will lose seat in the legislature., (iv) The new law has brought defection down and has made dissent even more difficult., , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014], , 6. Measures adopted to prevent this practice:, (i) The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties. This, was done because many elected representatives were indulging in defection, in order to become, ministers or for cash rewards., (ii) Now, the law says that if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose seat in the legislature., (iii) The new law has brought defection down and has made dissent even more difficult. Now MLAs and, MPs have to accept whatever party leaders say., , 7. Efforts made by the legal organizations to reform political parties in India:, (i) To check defection, the Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing, parties., (ii) The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals, by making it, mandatory to produce an affidavit giving details of property and criminal cases pending., (iii) The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their, organizational election and file their income tax returns. , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015], , 8. There are two ways by which people can reform the political parties:, • People can put pressure on political parties through petitions, publicity and agitations. Ordinary, citizens, pressure groups and media can also pressurise the government., • Political parties can improve if those who are interested to join the political parties. If political, parties feel that they would lose public support by not taking up reforms they would become more, serious about reforms., 9. (i) Defection: The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing, parties because many elected representations change their parties in order to become Minister or, for cash rewards. Now the law says that if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the, seat in the Legislative., (ii) To file an Affidavit: The Supreme Court made it compulsory for every candidate, who contests, elections to file an affidavit giving details of, a) his property , (b) educational qualifications, (c) criminal cases pending against him, (iii) To file income tax returns: The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for, political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns. This is done, to control the money and muscle power in politics., (iv) Reserved Seats: Parties should give one-third seats to women candidates., (v) Maintain transparency: Parties should maintain a register of its members, to follow its own, constituency, to have an independent authority. To hold open elections to the highest posts in case, of any disputes., 10. (i) The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLA’s and MP’s from changing parties. This, was done because many elected representatives were indulging in defection in order to become, ministers or for cash rewards. Now, if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the seat, in the legislature., (ii) The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals. Now, it, is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of his, , Political Parties 157

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property and criminal cases pending against him. The new system has made a lot of information, available to the public. But there is no system to check if the information given by the candidates, is true., (iii) The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their, organisational elections and file their income tax returns., (iv) The parties have started doing so but sometimes it is mere formality. It is not clear if this step has, led to greater internal democracy in political parties. , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016], , 11. Effective measures to reform political parties are:, (i) A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties., (ii) It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members., (iii) It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets; about onethird to its women candidates., (iv) There should be a quota for women in the decision-making bodies of the party., (v) There should be state funding of elections., (vi) The government should give parties money to support their election expenses in kind, for example,, petrol, paper, telephone, etc., or in cash., (vii) Vote casting should be made compulsory in each election., (viii) Data regarding caste and religion, OBC, SC, ST should not be utilized during election period in any, form. , [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015], , Picture Based Questions, , 1. Study the cartoon and answer the question., Which of the following options best signifies this cartoon?, (a) Lack of internal democracy., (b) Money and muscle power., (c) Corporate America controls all major institutions of the country., (d) Most political parties do not practice open and transparent, procedures., , 2. Study the cartoon given below and answer the question., , Do you agree that this form of reforming political parties will be acceptable to them?, , 158, , Social Science-10

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Answers, , 1. (c), , 2. I do not agree that reforming political parties will be acceptable to them, because the democratic size of, India is so large that it is impossible to form a coherent group of people who advocate the same policy, as propagated by any political party. Additionally, the issues vary from place to place in the electoral, politics of India., , Quick Revision Notes, • Political parties are one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. They reflect fundamental political, divisions in a society., • Parties contest elections, put forward different policies and programmes, play a decisive role in making laws, for a country, form and run government., • Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power., • Parties shape public opinion, access people to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by, governments., • Political parties are necessary in modern democracy as without it, every candidate in the election will be, independent. And no one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy changes., • The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies. Parties are a, necessary condition for a democracy., • Election Commission of India (ECI) had recognised more than 750 parties in India., • One party system is ruled in China. The communist party is allowed to rule., • Two-party system prevails in the USA and the UK where two main parties have a serious chance of winning, majority of seats to form government., • India has a multi-party system where the government is formed by various parties coming together in a, coalition. It has a multi-party system because of the social and geographical diversity in such a large country, is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties., • Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission., • A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a, state and wins at least two seats is recognised as state party., • A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in the Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections, in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as national party., • Eight national recognised parties in our country i.e. INC, BJP, BSP, CPI-M, CPI, NCP, AITC and NPP (as, per 2019)., • They are compelled to form alliances with state parties., • State political parties like Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal have national level political organisation, with units in several states. Some of these parties like Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front and Mizo, National Front are conscious about their state identity., • Over the last three decades the strength of state parties has expanded. No national party is able to secure, on its own a majority in the Lok Sabha. As a result, national parties are compelled to form alliances with, state parties. But recently in the 2019 Lok Sabha election BJP won with a majority and was able to form its, own government without forming alliance with other political parties., • Challenges to political parties are lack of internal democracy within parties, dynastic succession, growing, role of money and muscle power in parties and parties don’t seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters., • The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties., • The Supreme Court has made it mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit, giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him., • Political parties can be reformed by putting pressure on them by public through petitions, publicity and, agitations and by public participation., , Political Parties 159

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New Pattern Questions with Answers, Case Based Questions, , , , (4 Marks), , Read the source given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate option., 1., , Democracies that follow a federal system all over the world tend to have two kinds of political parties:, parties that are present in only one of the federal units and parties that are present in several or all, units of the federation. This is the case in India as well. There are some countrywide parties, which are, called ‘national parties’. These parties have their units in various states. But by and large, all these units, follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level. Every party in the, country has to register with the Election Commission. While the Commission treats all parties equally,, it offers some special facilities to large and established parties. These parties are given a unique symbol, only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol. Parties that get this privilege and, some other special facilities are ‘recognised’ by the Election Commission for this purpose. That is why, these parties are called, ‘recognised political parties’. The Election Commission has laid down detailed, criteria of the proportion of votes and seats that a party must get in order to be a recognised party. A, party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a, State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party. A party that secures at least six per cent, of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four States and wins at least four seats, in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party., , 1.1. What do you know about Federal System?, (a) It is a system of government under which the power is divided between a central authority and its, various constituent units., (b) The various constituent units and the central authority run their administrative independently., (c) These units and central authority do not interfere in the affairs of one another unnecessarily., (d) All of the above, 1.2. The Party that secure at least ________ per cent the total votes in the Lok Sabha elections or Assembly, elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party., (a) four, (b) six, (c) five, (d) seven, 1.3. Who issues a Model Code of Conduct for political parties?, 1.4. Who allots symbols for the political parties in India?, Ans. 1.1. (d), 1.2. (b), 1.3. The Election Commission,    1.4. The Election Commission, 2., , Party system is not something any country can choose. It evolves over a long time, depending on the, nature of society, its social and regional divisions, its history of politics and its system of elections., These cannot be changed very quickly. Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its, special circumstances. For example, if India has evolved a multiparty system, it is because the social, and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties., No system is ideal for all countries and all situations., , 2.1. India has adopted a multi-party system because–, (a) This system keeps people informed about the political activities., (b) This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation., (c) The second and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even, three parties., (d) All of the above, 2.2. Each country develops a __________ that is considered by its special circumstances., (a) national party , (b) party system, (c) series of functions , (d) political system, , 160, , Social Science-10

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2.3. Why is one party system not considered a good democratic system?, 2.4. Why do we need at least two parties in a democratic set up?, Ans. 2.1. (d), 2.2. (b), , 2.3. Because it has no democratic option, , 2.4. Because it gives a fair chance to the parties to compete in election to come in power., 3. The parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters. In order to offer meaningful choice,, parties must be significantly different. In recent years there has been a decline in the ideological differences, among parties in most parts of the world. For example, the difference between the Labour Party and the, Conservative Party in Britain is very little. They agree on more fundamental aspects but differ only in, details on how policies are to be framed and implemented. In our country too, the differences among all, the major parties on the economic policies have reduced. Those who want really different policies have, no option available to them. Some times people cannot even elect every different leaders either, because, the same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another., 3.1. There has been a decline in the ideological difference among parties in most parts of the world. In, , this context which among the following options is correct?, (a) Lack of internal democracy, (b) Dynastic Succession, (c) Meaningful choice to vote, (d) Corruption, 3.2. The people should elect only those only those ___________ who possess the skill to fulfil the needs of, citizens., (a) political candidates, (b) Members of Parliament, (c) Members of Legislative Assembly, (d) democratic leaders, 3.3. What do help in promoting the meaningful choice to the voters in India?, 3.4. Why do people express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform their, functions well?, Ans. , 3.1. (c), 3.2. (a), , 3.3 . The differences among all the major parties on the economic polices have reduced and those who, want really different policies have no option available to them. Sometimes people cannot even elect, very different leaders., , 3.4. There is not a meaningful choice to the voters., , Political Parties 161