List of political parties in India

List of political parties in India

The Politics of India is a complex and multifaceted system that operates within the framework of a federal parliamentary democratic republic. The political structure of India is defined by its Constitution, which was adopted on January 26, 1950. The Constitution provides for a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Structure of Government

Executive Branch

The executive branch of the Indian government is headed by the President of India, who serves as the ceremonial head of state. The President is elected by an electoral college for a term of five years. The real executive power, however, is vested in the Prime Minister, who is the head of government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and is usually the leader of the party or coalition that has the majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.

The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, exercises executive authority. The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Legislative Branch

India has a bicameral legislature, known as the Parliament of India, which consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

• Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha is composed of representatives directly elected by the people of India. It has a maximum strength of 552 members, including up to 20 members representing the Union Territories and two members nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community if deemed necessary.

• Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body that cannot be dissolved but one-third of its members retire every two years. It consists of a maximum of 250 members, of which 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in specific fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.

Judicial Branch

The judiciary in India is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial authority and has the power of judicial review. It is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and adjudicating disputes between the central government and the states, as well as between states.

Political Parties

India has a multi-party system, with a variety of national and regional parties. The two major national parties are the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). Regional parties play a significant role in state politics and often influence national politics through coalition governments.

Elections

Elections in India are conducted by the Election Commission of India, an autonomous constitutional authority. General elections for the Lok Sabha are held every five years, while elections for the state legislative assemblies are held at varying intervals.

Federal Structure

India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Each state has its own government, which is structured similarly to the central government, with a Governor, a Chief Minister, and a state legislature.

Challenges and Issues

The political landscape in India faces several challenges, including corruption, political instability, and communal tensions. Electoral reforms and the strengthening of democratic institutions are ongoing processes aimed at addressing these issues.

Also see

• Constitution of India
• Prime Minister of India
• Parliament of India
• Supreme Court of India
• Bharatiya Janata Party
• Indian National Congress
• Election Commission of India

The List of political parties in India encompasses a wide array of political organizations that operate at both the national and state levels. India, being the world's largest democracy, has a multi-party system, which means that there are numerous parties that contest elections and hold power at various levels of government. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the political parties in India, categorized into national parties, state parties, and registered unrecognized parties.

National Parties

National parties are those that have a presence across multiple states and have a significant influence on the national political landscape. As of the latest updates, the following are recognized as national parties by the Election Commission of India:

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Founded in 1980, the BJP is one of the two major political parties in India. It is a right-wing party with a strong emphasis on Hindu nationalism and economic liberalism.

• Indian National Congress (INC): Established in 1885, the INC is one of the oldest political parties in India. It played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and is a center-left party advocating for secularism and social democracy.

• Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)): A left-wing party that advocates for Marxism-Leninism and has a significant presence in states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Tripura.

• Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): Founded in 1984, the BSP primarily represents the interests of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

• Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Formed in 1999, the NCP is a centrist party that split from the Indian National Congress.

• All India Trinamool Congress (AITC): A regional party with a strong base in West Bengal, it was recognized as a national party due to its performance in various states.

• Communist Party of India (CPI): One of the oldest communist parties in India, advocating for a socialist state.

State Parties

State parties are those that have a significant presence in individual states but do not meet the criteria to be recognized as national parties. Some of the prominent state parties include:

• Shiv Sena: Predominantly active in Maharashtra, known for its regional and nationalist ideology.

• Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK): A major political force in Tamil Nadu, advocating for Dravidian politics.

• Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS): A dominant party in Telangana, focusing on regional development and statehood issues.

• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): Known for its anti-corruption stance, it has a significant presence in Delhi.

Registered Unrecognized Parties

These are parties that are registered with the Election Commission of India but do not have the recognition as either national or state parties. They often contest elections at local levels and may gain recognition based on their electoral performance.

Also see

• Politics of India
• Elections in India
• List of Chief Ministers in India
• List of Presidents of India
• List of Prime Ministers of India

References

• Election Commission of India
• Constitution of India