Question

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.

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option.

25.1 What does the Election Commission of India allot to all Parties so that they are called 'Recognised

Political Parties'? (1)

(a) Emblem (b) Motif

(c) Symbol (d) Flag

25.2 A party is called 'National Party' only when it polls _________ of total valid votes in atleast ______

states and in addition it wins _________ Lok Sabha Seats. (1)

(a) 2 %, Four, 4 (b) 6 %, Four, 4

(c) 4 %, Four, 4 (d) 2 %, Four, 3

25.3 Analyze the information given below, considering one of the following correct options: (1)

One of the oldest parties of the world. Founded in 1885 and has experienced many splits. Played

a dominant role in Indian politics at the national and state level for several decades after India’s

Independence. Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern

secular democratic republic in India.

(a) Communist Party of India (CPI) (b) All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)

(c) Indian National Congress (INC) (d) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

25.4 Two regional parties of West Bengal are : (1)

(a) Forward Bloc and Trinamool Congress

(b) All India Trinamool Congress and Forward Bloc

(c) National Congress Party and Forward Bloc

(d) Indian National Congress and Forward Bloc​

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

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’.