Political Parties Class 10 Notes explain the meaning, role, and importance of political parties in a democratic system.
These notes cover national and regional parties, their functions in forming governments, shaping public opinion, and contesting elections.
The chapter also highlights challenges faced by political parties and the need for reforms, helping students prepare effectively for Class 10 exams.
What is a Political Party class 10?
A political party is a group of people sharing common ideas about society and government.
They come together to contest elections and gain power. This political party class 10 topic is crucial for understanding democracy. Parties promote a collective good by agreeing on policies and programs.
Why Do We Need Political Parties?
Political parties are groups of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
They agree on policies and programmes to promote the collective good. Parties represent fundamental political divisions in society and are known for their policies, interests, and values. A political party typically consists of leaders, active members, and followers.
Functions of Political Parties
Political parties class 10 notes play several crucial roles in a democracy:
- Contesting elections: Parties participate in elections and offer various policies and programmes for voters to choose from.
- Making laws: Parties play a vital role in legislatures, shaping and passing laws for the country.
- Forming and running governments: Parties that win elections form governments and govern the country.
- Opposition: Parties that lose elections serve as the opposition, holding the government accountable and voicing different views.
- Shaping public opinion: Parties influence public opinion through their policies and actions.
- Access to government: Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.
Necessity of Political Parties Class 10 Notes
Class 10 political parties' notes are essential because they fulfill these functions and represent diverse views in society.
They bring together representatives to form responsible governments, make policies, and justify or oppose them, fulfilling the needs of representative democracy.
How Many Parties Should We Have?
In a democracy, any group of citizens can form a political party. While over 750 parties are registered in India, the effectiveness of parties varies. One-party systems and two-party systems are less desirable than multi-party systems, where several parties compete for power. India operates under a multiparty system, promoting diverse political representation.
National Parties
National parties are political organizations recognized at the national level by the Election Commission of India. These parties operate across multiple states and regions of the country. To be recognized as a national party, a political party must fulfill certain criteria set by the Election Commission:
- Securing at least 6% of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and winning at least 2 seats is recognized as a State Party.
- Securing at least 6% of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and winning at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha is recognized as a National Party.
National parties play a significant role in shaping national politics and policies. They have a presence in various states and often contest elections across the country. They may have distinct ideologies, policies, and organizational structures that differentiate them from regional parties.
Major National Parties in India
India has several major national parties that play a prominent role in the country's political landscape. These parties have a significant presence across various states and regions of India. Here are some of the major national parties:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Founded in 1980, the BJP is one of the largest political parties in India. It espouses the ideology of Hindutva and advocates for cultural nationalism. The party has a strong presence in both urban and rural areas and has been in power at the national level multiple times.
Indian National Congress (INC): The Indian National Congress, often referred to as the Congress Party, is one of the oldest political parties in India. Founded in 1885, it played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement. The party advocates for secularism, social justice, and inclusive development. It has had a significant influence on Indian politics and has been in power for several terms at the national level.
Communist Party of India (CPI): The CPI is a left-wing political party in India that follows the principles of Marxism-Leninism. It advocates for socialism, secularism, and democracy. The party has a strong presence in states like Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M): The CPI-M is a splinter group of the CPI that was formed in 1964. It also adheres to the principles of Marxism-Leninism and focuses on socialist policies, secularism, and democracy. The party has a significant presence in states like West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC): Founded in 1998 by Mamata Banerjee, the AITC is a regional party that gained prominence in West Bengal. It advocates for secularism, federalism, and the welfare of the people. The party has expanded its presence to other states as well.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): The BSP was founded in 1984 by Kanshi Ram and focuses on representing the interests of the Bahujan Samaj, which includes Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and religious minorities. It has a significant presence in Uttar Pradesh and other states in northern India.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Formed in 1999 following a split from the Congress party, the NCP supports democracy, secularism, and social justice. It has a major presence in Maharashtra and has been a coalition partner in several governments.
State Parties
State parties, also called regional parties, focus on issues within a specific state. They are also recognized by the Election Commission.
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A party secures at least 6% of the total votes in a State Assembly election.
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It also wins at least 2 seats in that State Legislative Assembly.
Challenges to Political Parties
Many political parties face common challenges, which impact their effectiveness and public trust.
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Lack of Internal Democracy: Parties often do not hold regular internal elections or maintain membership registers.
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Dynastic Succession: Top positions are often controlled by members of one family, limiting opportunities for others.
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Money and Muscle Power: Money and criminal elements often influence elections, leading parties to use shortcuts.
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Lack of Meaningful Choice: Sometimes voters find little difference in policies or leaders between major parties.
Reforming Political Parties
Various steps have been taken or suggested to improve the functioning of political parties.
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Anti-defection Law: A constitutional amendment prevents elected representatives from changing parties easily.
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Affidavits: The Supreme Court mandated that candidates disclose assets and criminal cases to reduce the influence of money and crime.
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EC Orders: The Election Commission requires parties to hold organizational elections and file income tax returns.
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Other Suggestions: Laws to regulate internal party affairs, reservation for women (one-third tickets), and state funding for elections.
Recognition Criteria for National Parties
To gain national party status, a party must meet specific electoral performance criteria.
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Win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha. Also, secure 6% of the total votes in either Lok Sabha or Assembly elections across four states.
Recognition Criteria for State Parties
State parties are recognized based on their performance in state-level elections.
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Win at least 2 seats in the State Legislative Assembly. Also, secure 6% of the total votes in the State Legislative Assembly election.
Class 10 Political Parties Notes PDF
Class 10 Political Parties Notes PDF provides a concise and chapter-wise guide on the role, functions, and types of political parties in a democracy.
It covers key concepts, challenges, and reforms, making it ideal for quick revision, concept clarity, and effective preparation for CBSE Class 10th Social Science exams.
Class 10 Political Parties Notes PDF
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