Question

what are the functions of a political party?Explain. OR What are the challenges of a political party​

Answer 1

Answer:

In politics, a political party is an organized group of people who have the same ideology, or who otherwise have the same political positions, and who field candidates for elections, in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement their agenda

Answer 2

Answer:

$\pink{ \boxed{ \bold{Functions \: of \: a \: Political \: Party}}}$

• A political party contests elections by putting up candidates.

• In countries like the USA, the candidates are selected by members and supporters of a party.

• On the other hand, in countries like India, the candidates are chosen by top party leaders.

• Every party has different policies and programmes. Voters make a choice in accordance with the policies and programmes liked by them.

• In a democratic country, a large group of people that has certain similar opinions group together and form a party. Then then, give a direction to the policies adopted by the government.

• Those parties which lose elections form the opposition. They voice different views and criticise the government for their failures and mobilize opposition to the government.

• Political parties shape public opinion. With the help of the pressure groups, the parties launch movements for solving problems faced by the people.

• Parties even offer access to government machinery and welfare schemes. The local party leader serves as a link between the citizen and the government officer.

$\pink{ \boxed{ \bold{Challenges \: faced \: by \: Political \: Parties}}}$

• Lack of internal democracy within parties. Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly.

• Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning, so there are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.

• The third challenge is about the growing role of money and muscle power in parties, especially during elections.

• People do not find parties to be a meaningful choice for their votes. Sometimes people cannot even elect very different leaders either, because the same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another.

Explanation:

$\red{ \huge \boxed{LET'S \: EXPLORE \: MORE}}$

$\bold \pink{Why \: Do \: We \: Need \: Political \: Parties?}$

A Political Party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. Parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society. Thus, a party is known by which part it stands for, which policies it supports and whose interests it upholds. A political party has three components:

• The leaders
• The active members
• The followers

$\bold \pink{How \: Many \: Parties \: Should \: We \: Have?}$

$\bold \blue{National \: Parties}$

Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission. It offers some special facilities for large and established 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.

$\green{All \: India \: Trinamool \: Congress (AITC)}$

• Launched on 1 January 1998 under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.

• Recognised as a national party in 2016.

• The party’s symbol is flowers and grass.

• Committed to secularism and federalism.

• Has been in power in West Bengal since 2011 and has a presence in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.

$\green{Bharatiya \: Janata \: Party (BJP)}$

• Founded in 1980, formed by Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951.

• Wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values and Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ideas of integral humanism and Antyodaya.

• Cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’) is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood and politics.

• Earlier limited to north and west and to urban areas, the party expanded its support in the south, east, the north-east and to rural areas.

• Emerged as the largest party with 282 members in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

$\green{Communist \: Party \: of India:</p><p>}$

• Formed in 1925. Believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy.

• Opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism.

• Accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of promoting the interests of the working class, farmers and the poor.

• Significant presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

• It secured less than 1 per cent votes and 1 seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

$\green{Indian \: National \: Congress (INC):}$

• Popularly known as the Congress Party. One of the oldest parties of the world. Founded in 1885 and has experienced many splits.

• Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern secular democratic republic in India.

• The ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its support declined, but it continues to be present throughout the country.

• The party’s main idea is to promote secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.

$\bold \pink{State \: Parties}$

The Election Commission has classified some of the major parties of the country as “State parties”. These are also referred to as regional parties.