Nature Of Party System In India : A Critical Evaluation

INTRODUCTION

In any country a successful democracy needs efficient political parties who act as a link between state and government. They form the government on behalf of citizens and fulfil their demands. India has a multi party system where numerous parties exist at the same time. Indian political parties have a different Nature of Party system.

FEATURES OF NATURE OF PARTY SYSTEM IN INDIA :-

  • NATIONAL PARTIES AND REGIONAL PARTIES :- To become a National party, the election commission of India has set up certain Directions to be followed by political parties in India. In total India has 8 National parties ; The Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party , Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party, Communist Party, Aam Aadmi Party, National Congress Party, All India Trinamool Congress, Communist Party of India ( Marxist) . There are 54 state parties in India. Many regional parties are stronger than National Parties. They give their support to National parties to form a government if the majority is not formed. Certain regional parties are ; The Shiromani Akali Dal, All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, D.M.K, Shiv Sena and National conference etc. 
  • EXTRA CONSTITUTIONAL BODY :- The Constitution of India does not directly speak about political parties. Representation of people's act 1951 set up rules and guidelines for political parties in India. Article 19 of the Indian constitution gives the right to form associations which are related to political parties. 
  • MULTI PARTY SYSTEM :- As discussed earlier, India does not have one or two parties but has a multi party system. There are eight National, fifty four state and 2858 regional parties. There are many parties which are still unrecognised. 
  • PERSONALITY CULT :- Personality of the leader holds great importance for Political parties. On the name of leaders the Political parties ask for votes. Even the slogans are formed on the names of leaders such as "Har Ghar Modi", 'Indira Lao Desh Bachao", etc where the names of leaders are used to attract the attention of voters. 
  • POPULISM :- This is another feature of Indian Political parties where certain slogans are used by leaders or political parties according to the situation to grab the votes. To capture the power catchy slogans are put forward such as 'Garibi Hatao', 'Indira is India and India is Indira','Abki baar Modi Sarkar' and many more. 
  • LACK OF IDEOLOGY :- These days political parties do not have firm ideologies, the main aim is to gain the power for which every party is following the same path. They keep changing their commitments in order to fulfil their interest. Many alliances are formed in order to attain power. 
  • DEFECTION :- This is one of the major problems of Indian political parties. Leaders changed their parties as per their convenience which created instability and corruption. There is one classic example of 1967 where Gaya Lal in Haryana changed his party twice in a day and once again within 15 days for which he was given the tag of 'Aaya ram and gaya ram' , by VC Shukla. Anti defection law was passed in 1985 as per 52nd amendment act to stop defections in Indian political parties. 
  • DYNASTY POLITICS :- Indian political parties are facing a major challenge of dynastic succession where one family continuously holds the party as their family business, the best example is Indian National Congress where Gandhi family is holding the party presidency over dynasties. 
  • LACK OF STRONG OPPOSITION :- Opposition acts as check over ruling government and maintain transparency between citizens and government by criticising the policies of ruling government if necessary. But nowadays no party is even getting a majority number of seats to form the opposition party. If oppositions are formed they are just engaged in critiquing the government no matter if the policy is good or bad. 

CONCLUSION

From the above discussion the nature of Indian political parties can be concluded. India holds a multi party system which gives citizens a wide range of choice to choose from. Although there is a lack of internal democracy and organisations among political parties and are just running to gain power , political parties are still very important for democratic country as they represent the democratic nature of the country and govern the nation on the behalf of the people.