Political Parties

Functions of Political Parties in a Democracy:

Political parties perform the following key functions:

1. Contesting Elections: Parties put up candidates for elections. In most democracies, candidates are either chosen by party leaders or selected through party primaries.

2. Policy and Programme Formation: Parties put forward different policies and programmes before the voters. The party that wins a majority gets to implement its policies.

3. Making Laws: Parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country. Laws are debated and passed in the legislature, where members largely follow party lines.

4. Forming and Running the Government: The party that wins a majority in elections forms the government and runs it. The party controls the executive (cabinet) and makes major decisions.

5. Role of Opposition: Parties that lose elections sit in the opposition. They criticise the government's failures and wrong policies, and mobilise opposition to the government.

6. Shaping Public Opinion: Parties raise and highlight issues. They have lakhs of members and activists spread across the country who help shape public opinion.

7. Access to Government Machinery and Welfare Schemes: Parties provide citizens access to government machinery and welfare schemes. A local party worker is often the link between a citizen and a government official.

Conclusion: Thus, political parties are the most visible institutions in a democracy and perform indispensable functions for its smooth working.

Challenges Faced by Political Parties:

Political parties face the following major challenges:

1. Lack of Internal Democracy: Power tends to be concentrated in the hands of one or a few leaders at the top. Parties do not hold regular organisational elections, do not share information with members, and ordinary members have little say in decision-making.

2. Dynastic Succession: Since most parties are controlled by one family, leadership positions are passed on to family members. This is unfair to other members and is not good for democracy.

3. Role of Money and Muscle Power: Parties tend to nominate candidates who can win elections by using money or criminal connections. This has led to the entry of criminals into politics and the growing influence of money in elections.

4. Lack of Meaningful Choice: In many countries, voters do not have a meaningful choice because the major parties are very similar in their policies and programmes. If parties do not offer different options, voters feel that changing the party in power does not make a difference.

5. Corruption and Scandals: Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top leaders, which erodes public trust.

6. Declining Public Trust: People have lost faith in political parties due to their corrupt practices, self-interest, and failure to deliver on promises.

Conclusion: These challenges undermine the effectiveness of political parties and weaken democracy.

Reforms to Strengthen Political Parties:

1. Law on Internal Democracy: A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. It should be mandatory for parties to maintain a register of their members, hold organisational elections at regular intervals, and make their accounts public.

2. Regulation of Party Finances: There should be state funding of elections. The government should give parties money to support their election expenses. This would reduce the dependence of parties on big donors and black money.

3. Quota for Women: At least one-third of the positions in every party should be reserved for women. This would ensure greater representation of women in politics.

4. Debarring Candidates with Criminal Records: Parties should be barred from fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds. The Election Commission should enforce this strictly.

5. Strengthening the Election Commission: The Election Commission should be given more powers to enforce the Model Code of Conduct and punish parties that violate it.

6. Public Pressure and Participation: Citizens, pressure groups, and the media should put pressure on parties to reform. Ordinary citizens should join political parties to improve their quality from within.

7. Transparency in Accounts: Parties should be required to publish their accounts and sources of funding so that voters can make informed choices.

Conclusion: Reforms must come both from within parties and through external pressure from citizens and legal mechanisms.

Definition of a Political Party:

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 promoting the collective good.

Key Elements:
- A political party has three components: (i) the leaders, (ii) the active members, and (iii) the followers.
- Parties try to persuade people that their policies are better than those of other parties.
- They seek to implement their policies by winning elections and forming the government.

Example: The Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are examples of political parties in India.

Conclusion: In short, a political party is an organised group that seeks to capture political power through elections in order to implement its policies.

Characteristics of a Political Party:

1. Common Policies and Programmes: A political party agrees on certain policies and programmes for the society. Members share a broad agreement on these policies.

2. Seeks to Win Elections: A party contests elections and tries to win them in order to form the government.

3. Seeks to Hold Power: The ultimate goal of a political party is to hold power in the government and implement its policies.

4. Promotes Collective Good: Parties claim that their policies are aimed at promoting the welfare of the whole society, not just a section of it.

5. Organised Structure: A party has an organised structure with leaders, active members, and followers.

6. Represents a Particular Section or Ideology: Every party represents a particular section of society — a class, a caste, a religion, or an ideology — and tries to articulate the interests of that section.

7. Offers Alternative Policies: Parties put forward different policies and programmes before the voters, giving them a choice.

Conclusion: These characteristics distinguish a political party from other organisations like pressure groups or social movements.

Answer: A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a Political Party.

Explanation: A political party is defined as an organised group that contests elections with the aim of forming the government and implementing its policies and programmes for the benefit of society.

Correct Answer: (c) C A D B

Matching:

| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. Congress Party | C. United Progressive Alliance |
| 2. Bharatiya Janata Party | A. National Democratic Alliance |
| 3. Communist Party of India (Marxist) | D. Left Front |
| 4. Telugu Desam Party | B. State party |

Justification:
- The Congress Party led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
- The BJP is the principal member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
- The CPI(M) is the leading party of the Left Front.
- The Telugu Desam Party is a regional/state party based in Andhra Pradesh.

Hence, the correct option is (c).

Correct Answer: A. Kanshi Ram

Justification: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984. The party seeks to represent the bahujan samaj — which includes the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and religious minorities. It draws inspiration from the ideas of B.R. Ambedkar, but Ambedkar himself was not its founder.

Correct Answer: C. Integral Humanism

Justification: The guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is Integral Humanism, which was articulated by Deendayal Upadhyaya. The party also draws inspiration from cultural nationalism (Hindutva). 'Bahujan Samaj' is associated with the BSP, 'Revolutionary democracy' is not a party philosophy, and 'Modernity' alone does not describe the BJP's ideology.

Correct Answer: (b) A and B

Justification:
- Statement A is correct: Surveys and studies show that political parties are among the least trusted institutions in democracies. People are dissatisfied with the functioning of parties.
- Statement B is correct: Parties are frequently involved in scandals and corruption cases involving their top leaders, which further erodes public trust.
- Statement C is incorrect: Political parties are absolutely necessary to run governments in a democracy. Without parties, it would be impossible to form stable governments, make laws, or implement policies. Governments are formed and run by political parties.

Hence, only statements A and B are correct, making option (b) the right answer.

(i) Did Yunus make the right decision to float a new political party?

Yes, Muhammad Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party. His reasons were well-founded:
- He wanted to foster proper leadership and good governance.
- He aimed to build a new political culture different from the traditional, corrupt one.
- His track record with the Grameen Bank showed his commitment to the welfare of the poor.
- In a democracy, any citizen has the right to form a political party and contest elections.
- A new party with fresh ideas can provide voters with a meaningful alternative and break the monopoly of traditional parties.

Conclusion: Entering politics to bring about change from within is more effective than criticising from the outside.

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(ii) Do you agree with the statements and fears expressed by various people?

- Shahedul Islam's statement (that Bangladesh will now have a chance to choose between good and bad) is largely agreeable. A credible new party does expand voter choice and can raise the bar for governance.
- The fear of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader that politics is challenging and controversial is partially valid — running a political party is very different from running an NGO or a bank. However, this should not discourage a well-intentioned person from trying.
- The suspicion that Yunus was being 'planted' by outside forces is not agreeable without evidence. Such allegations are often made by established parties to discredit new entrants who threaten their dominance.

Conclusion: While some caution is understandable, the fears of traditional party leaders seem motivated more by self-interest than genuine concern for democracy.

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(iii) How should the new party be organised to make it different?

The new party (Nagarik Shakti) should be organised as follows:

1. Internal Democracy: Regular elections within the party at all levels — from the grassroots to the national level — so that leaders are chosen democratically, not appointed from the top.
2. Transparency in Finances: All sources of funding and expenditure should be made public. No black money or corporate donations without disclosure.
3. No Dynastic Politics: Leadership positions should not be passed on to family members; merit and democratic election should determine leadership.
4. Representation of Women and Marginalised Groups: At least one-third of party positions and election tickets should be reserved for women and marginalised communities.
5. Clean Candidates: No person with a criminal background should be given a party ticket.
6. Decentralised Decision-Making: Ordinary members should have a real say in policy-making through consultations and referendums within the party.
7. Accountability Mechanism: A strong internal grievance redressal system so that members can hold leaders accountable.

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(iv) If you were the one to begin this political party, how would you defend it?

If I were founding this party, I would defend it on the following grounds:

1. Democratic Right: Every citizen in a democracy has the right to form a political party. Forming a new party is not a crime — it is an exercise of democratic freedom.
2. Need for Alternative: The existing parties have failed to deliver good governance and have been mired in corruption. A new party with a clean image and clear vision is the need of the hour.
3. Grassroots Commitment: Unlike traditional parties, this party will be built from the grassroots up, ensuring that ordinary citizens have a real voice.
4. Proven Track Record: The founder's work with the Grameen Bank proves his commitment to the poor and to good governance — qualities that are essential in a political leader.
5. Fighting Corruption: The party's top priority will be fighting corruption and black money, which are the biggest obstacles to development.
6. Inclusive Politics: The party will represent all sections of society — the poor, women, minorities — and not just the elite.

Conclusion: A new political party that is democratic, transparent, and committed to the welfare of the people is not only justified but necessary for the health of democracy in Bangladesh.