Political Parties

Political parties democracy ka most visible institution hain. Ordinary citizens ke liye, democracy ka matlab hi political parties hain.

Political Party Kya Hai?

• Definition: Ek group of people jo saath aate hain to contest elections aur hold power in the government.
• Goal: Society ke liye kuch specific policies aur programmes par agree karte hain, jisse collective good ko promote kiya jaa sake.
• Persuasion: Apni policies ko doosron se better prove karne ki koshish karte hain aur elections jeetkar unhe implement karna chahte hain.
• Reflection: Parties society mein existing fundamental political divisions ko reflect karti hain.
• Partisanship: Parties ek 'part' of society ko represent karti hain, isliye partisanship (pakshpaat) involve hota hai. Party ko uske stand, policies aur interests se jaana jaata hai.

Political Party Ke Components

Har political party ke teen main components hote hain:

• Leaders: Jo party ko guide karte hain aur major decisions lete hain.
• Active Members: Jo party ke programmes aur activities mein actively participate karte hain, ground level par kaam karte hain.
• Followers: Jo party ki ideology ko support karte hain aur elections mein vote dete hain.

Political parties democracy mein bohot saare crucial functions perform karti hain, jisse government ka functioning smooth hota hai.

Functions of Political Parties

1. Elections Contest Karna:

• Most democracies mein, elections mainly political parties ke candidates ke beech hote hain.
• Candidates ko choose karne ke different methods: USA mein members aur supporters choose karte hain; India jaise countries mein top party leaders candidates select karte hain.

1. Policies aur Programmes Rakhna:

• Parties different policies aur programmes public ke saamne rakhti hain.
• Voters unmein se choose karte hain. Party vast multitude of opinions ko few basic positions mein reduce karti hai.
• Ruling party ki policies par government ki policies based hoti hain.

1. Laws Banane Mein Decisive Role:

• Formally laws legislature mein debate aur pass hote hain.
• Lekin, since most members ek party se belong karte hain, woh party leadership ke direction ko follow karte hain, irrespective of personal opinions.

1. Governments Form aur Run Karna:

• Political executive, jo political parties se aati hai, big policy decisions leti hai.
• Parties leaders ko recruit karti hain, train karti hain aur phir unhe ministers banati hain government run karne ke liye.

1. Opposition ka Role Play Karna:

• Jo parties elections haarti hain, woh opposition ka role play karti hain.
• Government ki failures ya wrong policies ko criticise karti hain aur different views voice karti hain.
• Opposition parties government ke khilaaf opposition ko mobilise bhi karti hain.

1. Public Opinion Shape Karna:

• Parties issues ko raise aur highlight karti hain.
• Unke lakhs of members aur activists country mein spread hote hain.
• Pressure groups bhi often political parties ke extensions hote hain. Parties public problems ke resolution ke liye movements bhi launch karti hain.

1. Government Machinery aur Welfare Schemes Tak Access Dena:

• Ordinary citizens ke liye government officer tak pahunchna mushkil hota hai, lekin local party leader tak pahunchna easy hota hai.
• Parties ko logon ki needs aur demands ke prati responsive hona padta hai, warna next elections mein unhe reject kiya ja sakta hai.

Necessity of Political Parties

• Functions Ki Wajah Se: Parties ye saare functions perform karti hain, isliye modern democracies unke bina exist nahi kar sakti.
• Imagine a Situation Without Parties:
• Har candidate independent hoga, koi major policy changes ka promise nahi kar paayega.
• Government ban toh jaayegi, lekin uski utility uncertain rahegi.
• Elected representatives sirf apni constituency ke liye accountable honge, country ko kaise run karna hai, uske liye koi responsible nahi hoga.
• Panchayat Elections Ka Example: Non-party based panchayat elections mein bhi villages factions mein split ho jaate hain aur har faction apne candidates ka 'panel' rakhta hai. Yehi toh party ka kaam hai.
• Representative Democracy: Large societies ko representative democracy ki zaroorat hoti hai. Jab societies large aur complex bani, toh unhe different views ko gather karne aur government tak pahunchane ke liye agency chahiye thi.
• Responsible Government: Parties representatives ko saath laati hain taaki ek responsible government ban sake. Ye government ko support ya restrain karne, policies banane, justify ya oppose karne ka mechanism provide karti hain.
• Conclusion: Parties democracy ke liye ek necessary condition hain.

World mein different countries mein different party systems hain. Koi bhi system sabke liye ideal nahi hota, ye country ke social, geographical diversity, history aur electoral system par depend karta hai.

Party Systems Ke Types

1. One-Party System:

• Definition: Sirf ek party ko government control aur run karne ki permission hoti hai.
• Example: China (Communist Party).
• Democratic Nahi: Ye democratic option nahi hai kyunki free competition for power allow nahi hota. Log legally parties form kar sakte hain, but electoral system allow nahi karta.

1. Two-Party System:

• Definition: Power usually do main parties ke beech change hoti hai.
• Features: Doosri parties exist kar sakti hain aur elections contest kar sakti hain, lekin sirf do main parties ke paas government banane ka serious chance hota hai.
• Examples: United States of America, United Kingdom.

1. Multi-Party System:

• Definition: Several parties power ke liye compete karti hain, aur do se zyada parties ke paas government banane ka reasonable chance hota hai, ya toh apne dum par ya alliance mein.
• Example: India.
• Coalition Government: Jab several parties saath aakar government banati hain, toh use coalition government kehte hain.
• Alliance/Front: Elections contest karne aur power jeetne ke liye jab parties haath milati hain, toh use alliance ya front kehte hain (e.g., NDA, UPA, Left Front in India).
• Pros: Variety of interests aur opinions ko political representation milti hai.
• Cons: Often messy lagta hai aur political instability create kar sakta hai.

Kaunsa System Best Hai?

• No Ideal System: Koi bhi system sabhi countries aur situations ke liye ideal nahi hai.
• Evolution: Party system koi country choose nahi karti, balki ye long time mein evolve hota hai.
• Factors: Society ka nature, social aur regional divisions, political history aur electoral system jaise factors isko determine karte hain.
• India Ka Example: India mein multi-party system isliye evolve hua hai kyunki itni large country ki social aur geographical diversity ko do ya teen parties absorb nahi kar sakti.

India mein, federal system hone ki wajah se do tarah ki parties hoti hain: National Parties (jo country-wide present hain) aur State Parties (jo ek ya kuch federal units mein present hain).

National Party Ka Recognition Criteria

Election Commission (EC) sabhi parties ko register karti hai, lekin large aur established parties ko special facilities deti hai, jaise unique election symbol. Jin parties ko ye privileges milte hain, unhe 'recognised political parties' kehte hain.

Criteria for National Party (as per EC):

• Lok Sabha elections ya Assembly elections in four States mein at least 6% of total votes secure karein.
• Aur at least 4 seats Lok Sabha mein jeetein.

India Ki Major National Parties (2023 Notification ke according)

1. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):

• Formation: 26 November 2012, 2011 anti-corruption movement ke baad.
• Ideology: Accountability, clean administration, transparency, good governance.
• Presence: Delhi aur Punjab mein government form ki hai. Gujarat mein bhi presence badhi hai.
• 2019 LS: 1 seat.

1. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):

• Formation: 1984, Kanshi Ram ke leadership mein.
• Ideology: Bahujan samaj (Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, religious minorities) ke interests aur welfare ko secure karna. Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker, Babasaheb Ambedkar se inspiration.
• Presence: Main base Uttar Pradesh mein, neighbouring states mein bhi substantial presence.
• 2019 LS: 3.63% votes, 10 seats.

1. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):

• Formation: 1980, Bharatiya Jana Sangh (Syama Prasad Mukherjee ne 1951 mein banaya tha) ko revive karke.
• Ideology: Strong aur modern India banana, ancient Indian culture aur values se inspiration. Deendayal Upadhyaya ke integral humanism aur Antyodaya ke ideas. Cultural nationalism ('Hindutva') ek important element hai.
• Key Issues: Jammu & Kashmir ka full territorial aur political integration, uniform civil code, religious conversions par ban.
• Presence: 1990s mein support base bohot badha, ab south, east aur north-east tak expand ho gaya hai.
• Power: 1998 mein NDA (National Democratic Alliance) ke leader ke roop mein power mein aayi. 2014 aur 2019 se ruling NDA government ko lead kar rahi hai.
• 2019 LS: Largest party with 303 members.

1. Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M):

• Formation: 1964.
• Ideology: Marxism-Leninism mein believe karti hai. Socialism, secularism aur democracy ko support karti hai, imperialism aur communalism ko oppose karti hai.
• Elections: Democratic elections ko socio-economic justice achieve karne ka useful means maanti hai.
• Presence: Strong support West Bengal, Kerala aur Tripura mein, especially among poor, factory workers, farmers, agricultural labourers aur intelligentsia.
• Economic Policy: New economic policies ki critical hai jo foreign capital aur goods ko free flow allow karti hain.
• Power: West Bengal mein 34 saal tak bina break ke power mein thi.
• 2019 LS: 1.75% votes, 3 seats.

1. Indian National Congress (INC):

• Formation: 1885, duniya ki oldest parties mein se ek.
• History: Independence ke baad several decades tak national aur state level par dominant role play kiya.
• Ideology: Jawaharlal Nehru ke leadership mein modern secular democratic republic banane ki koshish ki. Centrist party (na rightist na leftist). Secularism aur weaker sections aur minorities ke welfare ko support karti hai.
• Economic Policy: New economic reforms ko support karti hai, lekin 'human face' ke saath.
• Power: 1977 tak aur phir 1980 se 1989 tak centre mein ruling party. 2004 se 2014 tak UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government ki leader thi.
• 2019 LS: 19.5% votes, 52 seats.

1. National People’s Party (NPP):

• Formation: July 2013, P.A. Sangma ke leadership mein.
• Significance: North East India se first political party jise national party ka status mila.
• Ideology: Country ki diversity mein believe karti hai, different regions ke different developmental challenges ko recognize karti hai. Core philosophy: education aur employment for all, empowerment of all sections.
• Presence: Meghalaya mein government form ki hai, North Eastern States mein presence hai.
• 2019 LS: 1 seat.

National parties ke alawa, country ki most major parties ko Election Commission ‘State parties’ ke roop mein classify karti hai. Inhe commonly regional parties kaha jaata hai.

State Party Ka Recognition Criteria

Criteria for State Party (as per EC):

• State Legislative Assembly ke election mein at least 6% of total votes secure karein.
• Aur at least 2 seats jeetein State Legislative Assembly mein.

State Parties Ki Characteristics

• Regional Outlook Zaroori Nahi: Ye parties zaroori nahi ki ideology ya outlook mein regional hi hon. Kuch parties all-India parties hoti hain jo sirf kuch states mein succeed kar paayi hain (e.g., Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal).
• State Identity: Kuch parties apni State identity ke baare mein conscious hoti hain (e.g., Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front, Mizo National Front, Telangana Rashtra Samithi).
• Growing Influence: Pichle teen decades mein, in parties ki number aur strength badhi hai.
• Parliament Mein Diversity: Isse Indian Parliament politically aur zyada diverse ho gaya hai.
• Coalition Governments: 2014 tak, koi bhi national party Lok Sabha mein apne dum par majority secure nahi kar paayi thi. Isliye, national parties ko State parties ke saath alliances banane pade.
• Federalism Ka Strengthening: 1996 se, almost har State party ko national level coalition government ka part banne ka mauka mila hai. Isse country mein federalism aur democracy strengthen hui hai.

Political parties democracy ka face hoti hain, isliye log unhe democracy ke functioning mein jo bhi galat hota hai, uske liye blame karte hain. World over, parties ke functions ko properly perform na kar paane par dissatisfaction hai. India mein bhi yehi haal hai. Four main challenges hain:

Political Parties Ke Challenges

1. Lack of Internal Democracy (Andaruni Loktantra Ki Kami):

• Tendency: Power ka concentration top ke ek ya kuch leaders mein.
• Problems:
• Membership registers maintain nahi hote.
• Organisational meetings regularly nahi hoti.
• Internal elections regularly conduct nahi hote.
• Ordinary members ko party ke andar ki information nahi milti.
• Decisions ko influence karne ka chance nahi milta.
• Result: Leaders ke paas zyada power hoti hai. Party principles se zyada leader ke prati personal loyalty important ho jaati hai.

1. Dynastic Succession (Vansh Parampra):

• Reason: Internal democracy ki kami ki wajah se, party mein upar tak pahunchna ordinary worker ke liye mushkil hota hai.
• Problem: Leaders apni family members ya close logon ko favour karte hain.
• Impact: Top positions ek hi family ke members control karte hain. Ye doosre members ke liye unfair hai aur democracy ke liye bhi bura hai, kyunki kam experience ya popular support wale log power mein aa jaate hain.

1. Growing Role of Money and Muscle Power (Paisa Aur Baahubali Ka Badhta Prabhav):

• Focus: Parties sirf elections jeetne par focus karti hain, isliye short-cuts use karti hain.
• Money Power:
• Aise candidates ko nominate karti hain jo bohot paisa rakhte hain ya raise kar sakte hain.
• Rich log aur companies jo funds deti hain, unka party ki policies aur decisions par influence hota hai.
• Muscle Power: Kuch cases mein, parties criminals ko support karti hain jo elections jeet sakte hain.
• Concern: Democrats worldwide is trend se worried hain.

1. Lack of Meaningful Choice to Voters (Voters Ke Liye Meaningful Choice Ki Kami):

• Problem: Parties ke beech ideological differences kam ho gaye hain.
• Example: Britain mein Labour aur Conservative Party ke beech ab bohot kam difference hai. India mein bhi major parties ki economic policies par differences kam ho gaye hain.
• Impact: Jin logon ko really different policies chahiye, unke paas koi option nahi hota.
• Leaders: Kabhi-kabhi log different leaders bhi choose nahi kar paate, kyunki same set of leaders ek party se doosri party mein shift karte rehte hain.

Political parties ko in challenges se deal karne ke liye reform hona zaroori hai. Question ye hai ki kya parties reform karna chahti hain, aur agar nahi, toh kya unhe force kiya ja sakta hai?

Recent Efforts aur Suggestions to Reform Political Parties (India Mein)

Legal Reforms (Jo Ho Chuke Hain):

1. Anti-Defection Law (Dal Badal Kanoon):

• Amendment: Constitution ko amend kiya gaya taaki elected MLAs aur MPs party change na kar sakein.
• Reason: Defection ko rokna jo ministers banne ya cash rewards ke liye hota tha.
• Law: Agar koi MLA ya MP party change karta hai, toh woh legislature mein apni seat kho dega.
• Impact: Defection kam hua hai, lekin dissent (virodh) bhi mushkil ho gaya hai. MPs aur MLAs ko party leaders ke decisions ko accept karna padta hai.

1. Supreme Court Order on Money and Criminals:

• Order: Candidates ke liye mandatory hai ki woh elections contest karte waqt apni property aur pending criminal cases ka detail affidavit mein file karein.
• Impact: Public ko bohot information available hui hai. Lekin, ye check karne ka koi system nahi hai ki information true hai ya nahi. Abhi tak ye clear nahi hai ki isse rich aur criminals ka influence kam hua hai ya nahi.

1. Election Commission Order on Internal Functioning:

• Order: Political parties ke liye mandatory hai ki woh apne organisational elections conduct karein aur income tax returns file karein.
• Impact: Parties ne aisa karna shuru kar diya hai, lekin kabhi-kabhi ye sirf formality hoti hai. Ye clear nahi hai ki isse internal democracy badhi hai ya nahi.

Suggested Reforms (Jo Abhi Tak Accept Nahi Hue Hain):

1. Internal Affairs Regulate Karne Ke Liye Law:

• Parties ke liye members ka register maintain karna, apna constitution follow karna, party disputes ke liye independent authority rakhna, aur highest posts ke liye open elections conduct karna compulsory hona chahiye.

1. Women Candidates Ke Liye Quota:

• Parties ko minimum 1/3rd tickets women candidates ko dena mandatory hona chahiye.
• Party ke decision-making bodies mein bhi women ke liye quota hona chahiye.

1. State Funding of Elections (Chunavon Ke Liye Sarkari Vitt Poshan):

• Government ko parties ko election expenses ke liye paisa dena chahiye.
• Ye in-kind (petrol, paper, telephone) ya cash mein ho sakta hai, based on last election mein secured votes.

Reforms Kaise Possible Hain?

• Legal Solutions Ki Limitations: Legal solutions political problems ke liye counter-productive ho sakte hain. Over-regulation se parties law ko cheat karne ke tareeke dhoondhengi. Aur parties aise law ko pass nahi karengi jo unhe pasand nahi.
• Public Pressure:
• Citizens petitions, publicity aur agitations ke through political parties par pressure daal sakte hain.
• Ordinary citizens, pressure groups, movements aur media ka important role hai.
• Agar parties ko lagega ki reforms na karne se public support kho denge, toh woh serious ho jaayengi.
• Public Participation:
• Agar log jo reform chahte hain, political parties join karein, toh parties improve ho sakti hain.
• Democracy ki quality public participation par depend karti hai. Sirf bahar se criticise karne se nahi, balki politics mein participate karne se bad politics solve ho sakkti hai (more and better politics).