Political Parties Notes | Class 10 Civics
What is a Political Party?
- A political party is a group of people who band together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
- It mobilises voters to support shared interests, concerns and objectives.
- A political party sets out a political agenda and its policies, and then tries to persuade voters by claiming that its policies are better than those of other parties.
- A political party is a way for people to communicate with the government and have a say in how a country is governed.
There are three components of a political party: the leaders, the active members and the followers. If you are revising the whole unit, the rest of this topic sits inside our Class 10 Political Science notes.
Functions of Political Parties
- Fighting elections: Candidates are nominated by political parties to compete in elections. In some countries, candidates are chosen by a party's members and supporters (for example, the USA). In India, candidates are usually chosen by the top party leaders.
- Giving a choice of policies: Different parties have different policies and programmes from which voters can choose. In a democracy, a large number of people with similar viewpoints come together to form a party, which then shapes the government's policies.
- Critical analysis and opposition: The losing parties form the opposition. They voice differing viewpoints and criticise the government for its failures, and they organise anti-government protests.
- Framing public opinion: Parties have an impact on public opinion. Along with pressure groups, they launch movements to address people's problems.
- Access to government: Parties help people gain access to government services and welfare schemes. The local party leader acts as a link between citizens and government officials.
Why do we need political parties?
The functions that political parties perform show that democracies cannot really exist without them.
If there were no political parties, then:
- All election candidates would stand as independents. None of them could promise voters any major policy change, and no one would be responsible for running the country.
- Only representative democracy can work in large societies. Political parties have become a clearing house for the many different points of view on an issue, which they then present to the government.
What are the common party systems?
There are three types of party systems: the one-party system, the two-party system and the multi-party system.
One-Party System
There is no real competition in this system. The single party nominates the candidates, and voters have only two choices: not to vote at all, or to write 'yes' or 'no' against the name of the candidates the party has nominated.
This system has been common in Communist countries and other authoritarian regimes, for example China, North Korea and Cuba. It was also in place in the USSR until Communism collapsed.
Two-Party System
In a two-party system, power shifts between two major, dominant parties. To win, a candidate has to get the maximum number of votes, but not necessarily a majority of the votes. The smaller parties usually merge with the bigger parties or drop out of elections.
This system exists in Great Britain and Canada, where only two parties hold significant numbers of seats. Supporters argue that it prevents fragmentation (too many parties winning seats from different constituencies), so the government can run smoothly.
Multi-Party System
The multi-party system is the most common type of party system.
- In this system, three or more parties have the capacity to gain control of the government, either on their own or in a coalition.
- When no single party wins a majority of the seats, several parties join forces and form a coalition government.
Supporters point out that it allows more points of view to be represented in the government. Critics point out that it can sometimes lead to political instability.
What is an Alliance?
When several parties in a multi-party system join hands to contest elections and win power together, it is called an alliance or a front.
In 2004 and 2009, India had three such alliances for the parliamentary elections:
- the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
- the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
- the Left Front
Political Participation in India
The level of participation in party activities is very high in India. Advanced countries such as Canada, Japan, Spain and South Korea have comparatively much less active participation.
People in India who feel close to a political party often become members, and party membership has actually gone up over the years.
Political Parties in India
Registration with the Election Commission
Every party in India has to register with the Election Commission. The Commission treats every party as equal, but it offers special facilities to large and established parties. These are given a unique symbol and are called 'recognised political parties'.
When is a political party recognised as a state party?
The Election Commission has laid down detailed criteria for the proportion of votes and seats a party must get to be recognised. A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least 2 seats is recognised as a State party.
When is a political party recognised as a national party?
A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections, or in Assembly elections in 4 States, and wins at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognised as a national party.
Difference between a National Party and a Regional/State Party
- A national party has influence all over the country or in many states of India. The influence of a state party is limited to one state or a few regions.
- National parties look after national interests, whereas regional parties mainly promote regional interests, for example the DMK or the AIADMK.
- Regional parties stand for greater autonomy for the states. National parties, on the other hand, have to harmonise various conflicting regional interests.
- An exclusive symbol (such as the lotus or the hand) is reserved for a national party throughout India. For a regional party, a symbol is reserved only in the state where it is recognised.
Introduction to Major Political Parties in India
1. Indian National Congress (INC)
Founded in 1885, it led the movement for independence. After independence it became free India's premier political party. In the first five General Elections, the Congress virtually controlled the politics of the country. It lost the elections in 1977, following the Emergency.
It made a comeback in 1980 under Indira Gandhi with a massive victory and reached its peak in the 1984 election. After 1991 the Congress was in decline and the BJP rose. In the May 2004 elections it emerged as the winner with the help of its allies and formed a coalition government called the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). It has been in decline since 2014. In its manifestos it has projected a vision of a politically united, economically prosperous, socially just and culturally harmonious India.
2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Created in 1980, it champions the socio-religious values of the Hindu majority, conservative social policies and strong national defence. Since its formation it has been a strong rival of the Indian National Congress.
It has allied itself with regional parties to challenge the Congress, which dominated Indian politics for 40 years. The BJP's rallying idea is 'Hindutva'. It wants full territorial integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India and a uniform civil code. In alliance with several other parties, the BJP led the Government of India between 1998 and 2004, and has been in power since 2014.
3. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
The Bahujan Samaj Party was formed to represent the OBC, SC, ST and religious minorities, those at the bottom of India's caste system. It was formed in 1984 by two leaders, Kanshiram and Mayawati.
The main base of the party is in Uttar Pradesh. It also has a substantial following in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab. It draws inspiration from the teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Periyar Ramaswami Naicker, and above all from Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
4. Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI(M)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), usually known as CPI(M), split from the Communist Party of India in 1964. It has been strongest in Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura, and led the government in all three until 2011, when it lost power in the first two.
It believes in Marxism-Leninism and supports socialism, secularism and democracy. It opposes imperialism and communalism. Its supporters are farmers, agricultural labourers and intellectuals.
5. Communist Party of India (CPI)
Formed in 1925, it believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy, and is opposed to communalism and secessionism. It believes that parliamentary democracy serves the interests of farmers, the working class and the poor.
The split in the party in 1964, which created the CPI(M), weakened its position. It has a following in Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and it works for the unity of all left parties into a United Left Front.
6. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
It was formed on 25 May 1999 by Sharad Pawar, P.A. Sangma and Tariq Anwar after they were expelled from the Congress. They had objected to a person of foreign origin becoming the Prime Minister of India. The NCP has its main support in Maharashtra. It says it stands for democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and federalism.
7. 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.
- It has been in power in West Bengal since 2011.
It also has a presence in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura. In the 2014 General Elections it got 3.84% of the votes and won 34 seats, making it the fourth largest party in the Lok Sabha.
State Parties in India
- All parties, other than the recognised national parties, are classified as state parties by the Election Commission of India. They are also called regional parties.
- They can be all-India parties that have been successful only in some states. Examples include the Samajwadi Party, the Samata Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. They have national-level organisations.
- Some, such as the Biju Janata Dal, the Sikkim Democratic Front and the Mizo National Front, have a strong state identity. In recent years, no single national party has been able to secure a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha.
- The national parties have therefore been compelled to form alliances with state parties. This has led to coalition governments at the Centre.
State parties have played an important role in strengthening federalism and democracy in our country.
Challenges Faced by Political Parties
1. Lack of internal democracy within parties
- Power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
- There are no organisational meetings and no proper keeping of a membership register.
- There are no regular internal elections.
- Ordinary members do not have access to information and cannot influence decisions.
- Disagreement with the leader can lead to being pushed out of the party.
2. Dynastic succession
- Leaders at the top have an unfair advantage and can favour people close to them or family members.
- Top positions are controlled by family members in most parties.
- This is bad for democracy.
- The tendency is seen all over the world, even in the older democracies.
3. Money and muscle power
- This is a very visible problem during elections.
- Candidates who can raise money are the ones who get nominated.
- Rich people and companies who give funds gain influence over policies.
4. No meaningful choice to the voters
- There is often not much difference in ideology among parties.
- They differ on the details of implementation rather than on fundamental principles.
- In India too, there is not much difference among parties on economic issues.
How can parties be reformed?
Efforts made to reform the political parties
- The Constitution was amended to prevent defection. Now MPs and MLAs lose their seat in Parliament or a State Assembly if they defect.
- The Supreme Court passed orders to reduce the power of money and criminals. A candidate now has to file an affidavit giving details of property and any criminal cases pending against them.
- The Election Commission asks political parties to file their income tax returns and to hold organisational elections.
Suggestions given to parties for reform
- Make it compulsory to run internal democracy: hold open elections, maintain registers, follow the party's own constitution and have an independent judge for party disputes.
- Make it mandatory to give a minimum share of party tickets (about one-third) to women, with a quota for women in the decision-making bodies of the party.
- Introduce state funding, so that the government gives a grant to political parties to support election expenses.
Why it still matters
These notes are not only exam material. The ideas in this chapter are being tested in the real world right now, and two recent events show it clearly.
Party funding and the electoral bonds verdict. Your notes list 'money and muscle power' as a big challenge, and suggest reforms like state funding. In real life, the Supreme Court took up exactly this question. On 15 February 2024, a five-judge Constitution Bench unanimously struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, which had let people and companies give money to parties anonymously. The Court held that this secrecy violated the voter's right to information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. It ordered the State Bank of India to hand over the donor and party details to the Election Commission, which then published the data in March 2024. This is the 'money power' problem and the 'right to information' idea from your civics course, playing out in the highest court.
Who counts as a 'national party' keeps changing. The notes explain the 6% votes and seats rule for national and state parties. That rule is applied for real. In April 2023 the Election Commission granted national party status to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and withdrew it from the Trinamool Congress (AITC), the NCP and the CPI. So the list in the older textbook has already moved on. As of 2026, India has six recognised national parties: the BJP, the Congress, the CPI(M), the BSP, the National People's Party (NPP) and the AAP. It is a good reminder that recognition is earned election by election, not fixed forever.
You can see the same ideas in action across the wider civics story on the Learnacy Hub, and there are more chapter notes waiting in our study resources. When you read the news about coalitions, party funding or a party losing its symbol, you are really reading this chapter in real time.