Political parties are essential for organizing elections and forming governments in a democracy. They reflect societal divisions and allow people to access power through elections by presenting policy platforms. However, political parties face challenges like a lack of internal democracy, dynastic control, and influence of money and muscle power. Reforms are needed to reduce these issues, such as limiting defections, regulating party finances and internal elections, and providing public funding to reduce financial influence. Overall, political parties are a necessary part of democracy but need reforms to strengthen their functioning.

1. Political Parties By Mr. SiddharthChandrasekar

2. Why do we need political parties? To organise elections and to form Governments It is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the Government What is a political party?

3. 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 involve in partisanship

4. What are the three components of a political party? Leaders Active Members Followers

5. 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 welfare schemes

6. 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 to run it

7. 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

8. 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) Example - India

9. What is an Alliance or Front ? Joining of several parties for contesting elections and winning power Political scenario becomes messy Political instability Various interests and opinions to enjoy political representation Social and geographical diversity is not easily absorbed by two or three parties Effects of multi party system... Why has India gone in for a multi party system?

10. 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 LokSabha or assembly elections in 4 states and win at least 4 seats in LokSabha Example - Congress I, BharatiyaJanata Party What are recognised political parties? They are recognised by the Election Commission by giving symbols Only official candidates can use these symbols

11. 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 & RashtriyaJanataDal

12. 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 Top positions always controlled by family members

13. 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 No choice of leadership

14. 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 who want improvement, join parties