Question

Political parties fill political offices and exercise political power. But they do this by performing a series of important functions. Describe any five of them. OR Political parties need to face and overcome a number of challenges in order to remain effective instruments of democracy. Write about any two of such challenges while citing appropriate examples.

Answer 1

In a true democracy the MPS and MLs are elected by people who in turn elect the head of constitutional province.so elected leaders have to educate the people of social,political,and economic conditions of the country . People may also refuse to return to power a party if it fails to deliver the things which it has promised.
political leaders have to do door to  door canvasing ,raise slogans ,con duct rallies,road show in order to educate the electorate. They  campaign about centre -state relations,political arguments,economic reforms,social welfare etc.they need to convince the electorate why they need to vote that particular party.

Answer 2

Following are the functions of political parties in a democracy:

1.Political parties contest elections:
Political parties in most of the democracy is contest elections by putting up the candidates in the political Arena. They select their candidates in one way or the other but in our country central leadership select them on one basis or the other.


2. Put forward policies and programmes:

Political parties make some policies and programmes for the Welfare of the people and voters choose those parties whose policies they like the most. In a democracy people have different opinions but they are grouped together to provide one direction in which policies could be formulated by the government.

3. Making laws: political parties who are in power make laws for the country. Actually laws are made by the legislature but the party which is in power get direction on that issue from Central leadership to make any particular law.

4. Political parties make and run a government:
The party which wins the majority gets the chance to make the government .It makes the government and runs the government according to the policies and ideology of a political party.

5. Making public opinion: Political parties raise those issues in public that the government is unable to handle. Thus they make public opinion in their favour and against the government . Parties even launch movements to highlight the problems of the people.


OR

The two challenges political party faces are:

1.Lack of internal democracy within parties:

It is right that democracy goes on with the help of political parties but there is a lack of internal democracy within the parties. It means that the power within the party is generally concentrated in the hands of one or two leaders. Even they do not conduct regular elections of office bearers and do not keep membership registers. Ordinary members are unable to get any information of inside of the party and members are generally dissatisfied with Central leadership. It is very difficult for ordinary members to convey their views to Central leadership or any particular issue. They have to accept the decisions taken by the central leaders. So there is a lack of internal democracy was in the parties.


2. Increasing role of Money and muscle power in political parties:

These days the role of money and muscle power has increased to a great extent. This power can be seen especially at the time of elections. Parties these days try to nominate that person and its candidate who is either rich or has sufficient power behind him. Candidates are spending Crores of rupees to get a ticket from the party and then again are spending Crores to win the elections. Not only this but these days criminals are entering the arena politics and criminalisation of politics is going on. Political leaders befriend criminals or who have the muscle power which can be used at the time of elections. In this way the role of money and muscle power in politics is increasing.

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