National Parties

National Parties

• All over the world, democracies that follow a federal system tend to have two types of political parties: parties that are present in only one of the federal units and parties that are present in several or all of the federal units. This is also the case in India.  
• There are some country-wide parties, which are called 'national parties'. These parties have branches in several states. However, in general, all of these units adhere to the same policies, programmes, and strategies that are established at the national level.  
• Every political party in the country is required to register with the Election Commission. While the commission treats all parties equally, large and established parties are given preferential treatment. These parties are assigned a distinct symbol, which can only be used by the party's official candidates. Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are ‘recognized’ by the Election Commission for this purpose. That is why these parties are called, 'recognised political parties'.  

(1) Indian National Congress:  

• The Indian National Congress was formed on 28th December 1885.  
• Commonly known as the Congress Party. One of the world's oldest parties. It has gone through numerous splits.  
• Congress was an all-comprehensive movement working for national independence at the time of its establishment. This nationalist movement brought together people from many ideologies.  
• For several decades after India's independence, it played a dominant role in national and state politics. The party sought to establish a modern secular democratic republic in India under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru. The ruling party was in the centre until 1977, and then from 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its popularity decreased, but it is still present throughout the country, cutting across social divides.
• A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation. 
• From the beginning, the party has followed the policy of  
  a. Secularism,  
  b. all-round development,
  c. equal rights  
  d. welfare for minorities and disadvantaged sections of society.  
• As a result, Congress has organized a variety of programmes to attain those goals. 
• The party believes in democratic socialism, social equality, and international peace. 
• The INC supports new economic reforms that are human-centered. 
• Leader of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2019. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it won 19.5 % votes and 52 seats. 

(2) Communist Party of India: 

• This communist-inspired political party was founded on 26th December 1925.  
• Marxism-Leninism, secularism, and democracy are among their beliefs. Opposed to secessionism and communalism. 
• In India, this is an old party. This party works for the welfare of labourers and workers. It opposes capitalism. 
• Accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of advancing the interests of workers, farmers, and the poor.  
• In the 1960s, the party leadership developed differences on whether the Communist Party of India should embrace the leadership of Communist China or the Soviet Union. This caused a split in the Communist Party of India, and a new party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was created in 1964. After the split it became weak. 
• Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have a significant presence. 
• Its support base had steadily declined over the years. It received less than 1% of the vote and only 2 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Advocates for the unification of all left-wing parties in order to form a strong left-wing front. 

(3) Bharatiya Janata Party:  

• Syama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, which was revived in 1980 as Bharatiya Janata Party.  
• Cultural nationalism (or 'Hindutva') plays a significant role in its understanding of Indian nationhood and politics.  
• Demands full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India, a uniform civil code for all citizens, regardless of religion, and a prohibition on religious conversions.  
• Its support base increased substantially in the 1990s.   
• Previously restricted to the north and west, as well as urban areas, the party has expanded its support to the south, east, north-east, and rural areas. 
• Came to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) including several regional parties. 
• In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it emerged as the largest party, with 303 members. Currently leads the ruling NDA government at the Centre. 

(4) Communist Party of India (Marxist): 

• It was founded in 1964. Believes in Marxism-Leninism. Opposes imperialism and communalism and supports socialism, secularism, and democracy.  
• Accepts democratic elections as a useful and beneficial means of achieving the goal of socioeconomic justice in India.  
• In West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura, it has strong support, particularly among the poor, factory workers, farmers, agricultural labourers, and the intelligentsia.  
• The new economic policies that allow the free flow of foreign capital and goods into the country have been criticised.  
• Was in power in West Bengal for 34 years without a break. It received approximately 1.75 per cent of the vote and 3 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

(5) Bahujan Samaj Party: 

• The Bahujan Samaj Party is a socialist party. The party was founded in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram with the goal of safeguarding the interests of the 'majority.'  
• The majority is composed of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, religious minorities, and other backward sections. The party's goal is to concentrate power in the hands of the 'majority.' 
• Inspired by the ideas and teachings of Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker, and Babasaheb Ambedkar.  
• It has its main base in Uttar Pradesh and a significant presence in neighboring states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Punjab.  
• Several times formed a government in Uttar Pradesh by enlisting the support of various parties. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it received about 3.63 percent of the vote and secured 10 seats. 

(6) Nationalist Congress Party: 

• Following a split in the Congress party, it was formed in 1999.  
• Advocates for democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice, and federalism. 
• Demands that high government positions be limited to natural-born citizens of the country.  
• A major party in Maharashtra, with a significant presence in Meghalaya, Manipur, and Assam. In Maharashtra, a coalition partner with the Congress.  
• Since 2004, a member of the United Progressive Alliance. It received 1.4% of the vote and 5 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

(7) All India Trinamool Congress:

• All India Trinamool Congress Party was founded on 1st January 1998 under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.  
• In 2016 it was recognized as a national party by the Election Commission. The party’s symbol is flowers and grass.  
• The party advocates for democracy, secularism, and the protection of the interests of society's weaker sections.  
• Since 2011 it has been in power in West Bengal. It is also present in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Tripura.  
• In the 2019 General Elections, it received 4.07 percent of the vote and gained 22 seats, making it the fourth-largest party in the Lok Sabha.