Political Parties

ONE MARK QUESTIONS

1. Why is one party political system not considered a good democratic system?
Ans : [CBSE 2016] Because one party system has no democratic option
2. Why did India adopt a multi-party system?
Ans : [CBSE 2016] India adopted a multi-party system because: a. India is a large
country and has social and geographical diverges.
b. It is easy to absorb different social and geographical diversities in a multi¬party
system.
3. Name the alliance formed by the Congress Party.
Ans : [CBSE2016] United Progressive Alliance (UPA) 4. Which party was the principal
opposition party in Lok Sabha in 2004? [CBSE 2016]
Ans : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
5. Name any one political party that has national level political organisation but not
recognized as the national political party.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] Samajwadi Party/Samata Party/Rashtriya Janata Dal.
6. What is meant by ‘Political Party’? [CBSE 2015]
Ans : A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections to
hold power in the government.
7. What is the guiding philosophy of Bharatiya Janata Party?
Ans : [CBSE 2015] a. Cultural nationalism
b. India’s ancient culture and values
8. What is the requirement laid down by the Election Commission for a political party to
be recognized as a ’State Party’? [CBSE 2015]
Ans : A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the
Legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party.
9. Name any two regional parties of West Bengal.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Two regional parties of West Bengal are:
a. Marxist Forward Bloc
b. Trinamool Congress
10. If all the decisions of a political party are made by a single family and all other
members are neglected, then what challenge is being faced by that party?
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Challenge of dynastic succession.
11. Why do political parties involve partisanship?
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Because the parties are a part of the society and thus they involve
partisanship.
THREE MARKS QUESTIONS

12. The Bahujan Samaj Party stands for what cause?

Ans : [CBSE 2011] Securing the interest of the oppressed people.

13. Analyse the three components of a political party. [CBSE 2016]

or
Describe the three components of a political party.
Ans : [CBSE 2014] Three components of a political party are:
a. Leaders
b. Active members
c. Followers

14. What is meant by a ‘national political party’? State the conditions required to be a
national political party.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] National political party have units in the various states, they follow
the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level.
Conditions required:
a. A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in general elections of Lok Sabha or
assembly elections in four states.
b. Wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha.

15. What is a political party ? State any two points of the ideology of Bharatiya Janata
Party?
Ans : [CBSE 2016] A political party is a group of people who come together to contest
elections and hold power in the government. They agree on some policies and
programmes for the society with a view to promote the collective good.
Ideology of BJP:
a. Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India.
b. A uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion.
c. Cultural nationalism.

16. Describe the ideology and organisation of Bahujan Samaj Party. [CBSE 2016]
Ans : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi
Ram. Its main aim is that it seeks to represent and secure power for the Bahujan Samaj
which includes the dalits and adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.
17. What is meant by regional political party? State the conditions required to be
recognized as a ‘regional political party’. [CBSE 2016]
Ans : A regional party is a party that is present in only some states. Conditions required
for a party to be recognized as a regional political party are:
a. A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the
Legislative Assembly of a state.
b. Wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly.

18. “Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be a part of one
or the other national level coalition.” Support the statement with arguments.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] State parties seeking national level coalition: Before the general
election of 2014, in three general elections no one national party was able to secure on its
own a majority in Lok Sabha. With the result, the national parties were compelled to form
alliances with state or regional parties. Since 1996, nearly every one of the state parties
has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition
government. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy.

19. Which three challenges do you feel are being faced by political parties in India ? Give
your opinion.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] The three challenges faced by political parties in India are:
a. Lack of internal democracy.
b. Challenge of dynastic succession.
c. Growing role of money and muscle power.
d. Often parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters.

20. Describe any three main features of the Two-Party system.

Ans : [CBSE 2015] Main features of two-party system:
a. Power usually changes between two parties, several other parties may exist.
b. In such system, people get clear choice,
c. The party that wins the majority forms the government and the other sits in opposition.
d. Strong opposition is good for democracy.
e. Prompt decisions are taken and implemented.
f. More development and less corruption.

21. What is a multi-party system? Why has India adopted a multi-party system? Explain.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Multi-party system: If several parties compete for power and more
than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own
strength or in alliance with others, we call it a multiparty system. India adopted a
Multi-party system because:
a. There is social and geographical diversity in India.
b. India is such a large country which is not easily absorbed by two or three parties.
c. The system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.

22. How do money and muscle power play an important role in elections? Explain.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Money and muscle power play an important role in elections
because:
a. Role of money and muscle power in parties especially during elections is growing.
b. Parties tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money.
c. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the
policies and decisions of the party.
d. In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections.
e. Democrats all over the world are worried over the increasing role of rich people and
big companies in democratic politics.
(Any three)

23. “Serious efforts were made by the legal organisations to reform political parties in
India.” Support the statement.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Efforts made by the legal organisations to reform political parties in
India:
a. To check defection, the Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs
from changing parties.
b. The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and crime, by
making it mandatory to produce an affidavit giving details of property and criminal cases
pending.
c. The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to
hold their organisational election and file their income tax returns.

24. Name any six ‘regional political parties’ of the four southern states of India’ [CBSE
2014]
Ans : Tamil Nadu— AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), DMK
Andhra Pradesh—Telugu Desam, Kerala—Congress (Joseph) Puducherry—AINRC (All
India N. R. Congress)
25. Name the ‘regional political parties’ that are predominant in Jharkhand, Maharashtra
and Odisha respectively with their symbols. [CBSE 2014]
Ans : Jharkhand—JMM—Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Maharashtra—INC—Indian
National Congress Odisha—BJD—Biju Janata Dal.

26. State the conditions as laid down by the Election Commission to recognize a ‘state
party1 and ‘national party’. [CBSE 2014]
Ans : The difference between a state and a national party can be identified as follows:
a. In a state party, the party members aim to highlight the regional interests. On the other
hand, a national party gives due importance to national interests.
b. A state party can contest in elections only in a particular state, whereas a national party
can contest in elections all across the country.
c. Example: BJP and Congress are national parties, whereas Akali Dal and Trinamool
Congress are state level parties.

27. What is meant by ‘defection’ in democracy? Explain.

Ans : [CBSE 2014] a. Detection in politics means moving of a person from one party to
another party for some personal benefit. It means changing party allegiance from the
party on which a person got elected to a different part
b. It happens when a legislature, after having been elected from a particular party, leaves
it and joins another party.
c. The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLA’s and MP’s from changing
parties. Now the law says that if any MLA and MP changes parties, he or she will lose a
seat in the legislature.
d. The new law has brought defection down and has made dissent even more difficult.

28. Name the national political party which espouses secularism and welfare of weaker
sections and minorities. Mention any four features of that party.
Ans : [CBSE 2013] The national political party which espouses secularism and welfare
of weaker sections and minorities is the Indian National Congress. Four features of this
party are listed below:
a. Founded in 1885.
b. Dominated Indian politics, both at the national and state levels, for several decades
after India’s independence.
c. Ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its support
declined.
d. A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation.

FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS

29. Describe any five major functions of political parties performed in a democracy.
Ans : [CBSE 2018] Ans : In a democracy political parties performed the following major
functions:
1. Parties contest elections: In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the
candidates put up by political parties. Parties select their candidates in different ways. In
India top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.
2. Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from
them. In a democracy, a large number of similar opinions have to be grouped together to
provide a direction in which policies can be formulated by the governments. A
government is expected to base its policies on the line taken by the Ruling party.
3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally laws are debated
and passed in the legislature. But since most of the members belong to a party, they go by
the direction of the party leadership, irrespective of their person ’ opinions.
4. Parties form and run governments. Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make
them ministers to run the government in the way they want.
5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in
power by voicing different views and criticising the government for its failure or wrong
policies.
6. Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues. Parties sometimes also
launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by people. Often opinions in the
society crystallise on the lines parties take.
7. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes
implemented by governments.

30. Examine any two institutional amendments made by different institutions to reform
political parties and their leaders. [CBSE 2016] or Elucidate some of the recent efforts
taken in our country to reform political parties and its leaders.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] a. The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLA’s and
MP’s from changing parties. This was done because many elected representatives were
indulging in defection in order to become ministers or for cash rewards. Now, if any
MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the seat in the legislature.
b. The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals.
Now, it is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving
details of his property and criminal cases pending against him. The new system has made
a lot of information available to the public. But there is no system of check, if the
information given by the candidates is true.
c. The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to
hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.
d. The parties have started doing so but sometimes it is mere formality. It is not clear if
this step has led to greater internal democracy in political parties.

31. Suggest and explain any five measures to reform political parties. [CBSE 2016]
or
Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties. [CBSE 2015,2012]
Ans : Effective measures to reform political parties are :
a. A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties.
b. It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its
members.
c. It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets;
about l/3rd to its women candidates.
d. There should be a quota for women in the decision making bodies of the party.
e. There should be state funding of elections.
f. The government should give parties money to support their election expenses in kind,
for example, petrol, paper, telephone, etc., or in cash.
g. Vote casting should be made compulsory in each election.
h. Data regarding caste and religion, OBC, SC, ST should not be utilised during election
period in any form.

32. “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.” Analyse the statement
with examples. [CBSE 2016]
or
Why can’t modern democracies exist without the political parties? Explain any four
reasons. [CBSE II, 2015, 2011]
Ans : “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy” because:
1. Without political parties, democracies cannot exist.
2. If we do not have political parties; in such a situation every candidate in elections will
be independent.
3. No one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy
changes.
4. The government may be formed but its utility will remain uncertain.
5. Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency for what they do in
their locality.
6. But no one will be responsible for how the country will run.
7. The role of the opposition party in a democracy necessitates the existence of political
parties.
8. As societies become large and complex they also need some agencies to gather
different views on various issues and to present these to the government, that’s why
political parties are needed.

33. “All over the world, people express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political
parties to perform their functions well.” Analyse the statement with arguments.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] Popular dissatisfaction and criticism has focused on four areas in the
working of political parties. Political parties need to face and overcome these challenges
in order to remain effective instruments of democracy.
a. Lack of internal democracy within parties.
b. Dynastic succession.
c. Growing role of money and muscle power in parties.
d. There is not a meaningful choice to the voter.

34. “No party system is ideal for all countries and all situations.” Justify the statement
with arguments.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] No party system is ideal for all countries and all situations:
a. Party system is not something any country can choose.
b. It evolves over a long time depending on the nature of the society.
c. Its social and regional divisions, its history of politics and its system of elections.
d. Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special circumstances.

35. What is meant by a political party? Describe the three components of a political party.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Political Party is a group of people who came together to contest
elections and hold power in the government. Three components of a political party are:
a. The leaders
b. The active members
c. The followers

36. Describe any five major functions of political parties.

Ans : [CBSE 2015] Functions of political parties:
a. Parties contest elections.
b. They put forward policies and programmes.
c. Parties play a decisive role in making laws.
d. Parties form and run governments.
e. Defeated parties in the election play its role of opposition to the parties in power.
f. Parties shape public opinion.
g. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.

37. “Lack of internal democracy within parties is the major challenge to political parties
all over the world.” Analyse the statement.
Ans : [CBSE 2016, 2015] There are various reasons for lack of democracy within the
political parties in India:
a. Concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.
b. Details of membership are not registered in the parties.
c. No organisational meetings.
d. No internal elections for membership within the party.
e. Top leaders have unanimous power of decision making.

38. “Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political
parties.” Analyse the statement.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the
political parties because:
a. Most political parties do not practise open and transparent procedures for their
functioning.
b. There are few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.
c. In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.
d. This practice is unfair to other members of that party and is also bad for a democracy.
e. People who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy
positions of power.

39. Name the national political party which gets inspiration from India’s ancient culture
and values. Mention four features of that party.
Ans : [CBSE 2013] ‘Bharatiya Janata Party’ (BJP) gets inspiration from India’s ancient
culture and values. Four important features:
a. Cultural nationalism or ‘Hindutva’ is an important element in its conception of Indian
nationhood and politics.
b. The party wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with
India.
c. A uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion and
ban on religious conversions.
d. Its support base increased substantially in the 1990s.

40. Explain two functions each of the ruling party as well of the opposition parties.
Ans : [CBSE 2012] Functions of the ruling parties:
a. They play a major role in making laws for the country.
b. They form the government and run the country.
c. They recruit leaders, train them and then make ministers to run the government.
Functions of the opposition parties:
a. They oppose the government by voicing different views.
b. They criticise the government for its failure and wrong policies.
c. They mobilise opposition to the government.

41. How do political parties help in shaping public opinion? Explain. [CBSE 2012]
Ans : Role of political parties in shaping public opinion as:
a. They raise and highlight issues.
b. They form pressure groups as an extension.
c. They launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by the people.
d. They have lakhs of members and activists.

42. What do you understand by the bi-party system? Write its one merit and one demerit.
Ans : [CBSE 2012] Bi-party system:
a. In some countries, power usually changes between two main parties. It is also known
as a two party system.
b. In this system, the government is formed by one party and the other plays the role of
opposition.
Merit: This system allows stability of government as no coalition is there.
Demerit: In this system, only two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority
seats to form the government.

43. What is a multi-party system? Explain merits and demerits of multi-party system.
Ans : [CBSE 2012] If several parties compete for power and more than two parties have
a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with
others, we call it a multi-party system.
Merits: a. This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political
representation.
b. People can make a choice between several candidates.
Demerits: a. No one party is likely to gain power alone. Therefore, it leads to difficulty in
formation of government.
b. Leads to political instability and often appears to be very messy.

44. What is meant by national parties? State the criteria for recognizing a party as
National and State party.
Ans : [CBSE 2012] Democracies that follow a federal system all over the world tend to
have two kinds of political parties— Parties that are present in only one of the federal
units and parties that are present in several or all units of the federation. Those parties
which are countrywide parties are called national parties.
National and State Parties:
a. A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the
Legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party.
b. A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or
Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is
recognized as a national party.

45. Explain any four problem areas in the working of political parties.
Ans : [CBSE2012]
a. Lack of internal democracy: The first challenge is lack of internal democracy within
parties. Concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.
b. Dynastic succession: Favour people close to them or even their family members. In
many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.
c. Money and muscle power: The third challenge is about the growing role of money and
muscle power in parties, especially during elections.
d. Meaningful choice: The fourth challenge is that very often parties do not seem to offer
a meaningful choice to the voters.

46. Why is there a lack of internal democracy within the political parties in India?
Explain with examples.
Ans : [CBSE 2012] There are various reasons for lack of democracy within the political
parties in India:
a. Concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.
b. Details of membership are not registered in the parties.
c. No organisational meetings.
d. No internal elections for membership within the party.
e. Top leaders have unanimous power of decision making.

47. “Political parties play a major role in democracy.” Explain any five points to justify
this statement. [CBSE 2012]
Or
“Political parties are rightly called the government in disguise.” Justify the statement in
reference to democratic politics by giving five arguments.
Ans : [CBSE 2012] The political parties play an important role in democracy as:
1. Parties contest election: In most democracies elections are fought mainly among the
candidates put up by political parties.
2. Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from
them.
3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
4. Parties shape public opinions. They raise and highlight issues.
5. Parties form and run governments.
6. Role of opposition: Opposition role is important in democracy as it voices different
views and criticises the government for its failures or wrong policies.
7. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes
implemented by governments.