PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 11 Party System in India

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 11 Party System in India Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 11 Party System in India

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe the characteristics of Indian Party System.
Or
Explain in detail six features of Indian Party System.
Or
Describe any six features of Indian Political Party System.
Answer:
Present age is an era of democracy. Political parties are inevitable in democracy and thus both are inseparable. India is the biggest democratic country in the world and hence the existence of political parties here is natural one. But political parties haven’t developed on the same pattern as they have grown in England, America and other western countries. Political parties in India didn’t originate to dethorne the ruling aristocratic group but to fight against foreign imperialism by starting a national movement for freedom.

Another aim of the National Congress was to eliminate those elements from Indian society which hampered the social progress. Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 and afterwards, in 1906, Muslim League came into being and then in 1916 All India Hindu Mahasabha was established. Communist Party was founded in 1924 but it was banned during the Second World War. But when Russia joined hands with Allied nations in the Second World War, the Communist Party got a chance to develop. After independence, several political parties came into being. When first general elections were held in 1952, there were fourteen national political parties and fifty parties at the state level.

In January, 1977 four political parties Jan Sangh, Congress (O), Socialist Party, Bharatiya Lok Dal and rebel Congressmen formed Janata Party. But Janata Party was formed properly on May 1, 1977. The Congress faced a split in January, 1978 and Congress (I) came into existence. Bharatiya Janata Party was established on 6th April, 1980 and Bahujan Samaj Party on 14th April, 1984.

The Election Commission at present, recognised eight national and 53 state parties.
Indian party system has its own characteristics. Some of the main features are as follows:
1. Multiple Party System:
India has neither single party system as in China nor two party system as in England and America. We have multiple party system as Switzerland has. At Prerent the Election Commission recognized Seven National Parties and 59 state level parties. Seven National Parties are: Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, C.P.I., Marxist Party, Trinmool Congress Party, Nationalist Congress Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party.

2. End of Dominance of a Single Party:
India’s Multiple Party System differs from the Multiple Party System in Western countries like France and others. Several political parties participate in election in India but The Congress dominated the scene at the centre as well as the states before 1967.

The Congress secured 364, 371, 261 and 283 seats in the elections of 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967 respectively. The Congress didn’t succeed much in states in the elections of 1967, which resulted in the formation of non-Congress ministries in many states. But the non-Congress ministries didn’t avail of this golden opportunity and they tried to achieve their vested interests instead of serving the people.

Consequently these ministries could not stay for long. Mrs. Indira Gandhi held mid-term polls in 1971 and Congress swept the elections and it secured 352 seats in Lok Sabha. Out of 19 states, elections were held in eight states and Congress secured majority in all the eight states. Due to the dominance of the Congress some perceptive students of Indian Politics have expressed the view that India has a ‘One party dominance system’ (Rajni Kothari) or ‘One dominant party system’ (W.H. Morris Jones).

But the dominance of Congress came to an end in November, 1989 when Congress was badly mauled in the 9th general elections and the other parties entered the 9th Lok Sabha with sufficient strength. It was repeated. From 1991 to 2019 elections. The present position clearly indicates that the era of one party dominant system has come to an end.

3. Rise of Effective Opposition:
Another feature of the Indian party system is the rise of organised opposition as it exists in England. There was no effective opposition before the fourth general elections.

In 1977 an organised opposition originated with the defeat of the Congress. There was no recognised offical opposition in 1980 and in 1984. But in 1989 with the defeat of the Congress (I) a strong organised opposition came into existence. In the Lok Sabha elections of 1991 BJP was recognised as opposition party. In the eleventh Lok Sabha elections in 1996, BJP emerged as the single largest party.

In March 1998 Sharad Pawar of the Congress party was recognised as leader of the opposition in the twelfth Lok Sabha. The elections to the 13th Lok Sabha held in Sept.-Oct. 1999 returned the Congress with sufficient strength and it emerged as a strong opposition party. In the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha no party has been given recognition of the opposition party.

4. Communal Parties: Another characteristic of Indian Party system is the existence of communal parties.

5. Existence of Regional Parties:
Another very distinct peculiarity of Indian Party system is the existence of regional parties. At present Election Commission recognised 53 regional political parties. Major regional political parties are Shiromani Akali Dal, Indian National Lok Dal, Assam Gana Parishad, Jharkhand Party, Telugu Desham, National Conference, ADMK and DMK etc. The importance of regional political parties is increasing day by day. It seems as if an era of dependence of national parties on the regional parties has begun.

6. Registration of Political Parties:
The Representation of People’s Act, 1951 was amended in December, 1998 under which registration of political parties with the Election Commission is obligatory.

7. Lack of Discipline:
Lack of discipline among the party members is an important feature of the Indian Party system. Those who fail to get the party ticket to contest the election leave the party and either join the other party or contest the election as independent candidates. Lack of party discipline has been a source of defection, split, factionalism, groupism and poiltical turn-coatism in Indian politics.

8. Politics of Populism:
Almost all political parties adopt and follow populistic policies and raise populistic slogans for securing their vote banks. ‘Garibi Hatao’, ‘Rozgar Yojnas’, ‘Power to the people’, “Vote for Mandir’, ‘Protection of Panth’ are used as election slogans, as ploy for securing votes. In 1995 Telugu Desham party won a big majority in the State Legislative Assembly elections by promising to sell rice at Rs. 2 per kg.

9. Less Contact with the Masses:
Another feature of Indian party system is that parties do not always remain in touch with the masses. In India many political parties come into existence at the time of election and disappear with the end of election. Even permanent political parties organise themselves at the time of elections and try to establish contact with the public. The leaders of the political parties realise the importance of public contact during the election but they forget it as soon as the election ends. According to Dr. P.V.R. Rao, no political party except Communist Party can claim to have direct contact with the masses. In such circumstances Indian party system cannot work successfully.

10. Lack of Internal Democracy within the Political Parties:
The political parties lack internal democracy and are built from above around hierarchical frames. Majority of the political parties have not held elections of the party organisation at different levels for a long time.

11. Lack of Ideological Commitment:
Most political parties in India lack ideological commitment. In fact political parties are interested to capture power and for that they have been too willing to sacrifice their ideologies. Even the CPI (M) and the BJP have started addressing to current issues than to their ideologies.

12. Dissidents:
Another important aspect of Indian party system is the presence of dissidents. Generally speaking, Congress or Janata Dal or B.J.P. in every state has two groups ministerialists and dissidents. Dissidents work in full swing as the leaders are always in competition to grab power. During Janata Party regime even at the centre there was dissident group led by Charan Singh and Raj Narayan. Due to revolt by dissidents against B.J.P. leadership, President’s rule was imposed in Gujarat in Sept. 1996.

13. Groupism within the Parties:
In every political party there is groupism and groupism leads to split in the party. There was a split in the Congress Party thrice in 1969, 1978 and 1995. Janata Dal was divided six times-in 1990, 1992,1993, 1994, 1997 and 1999. Groupism found in Akali Dal, D.M.K., Telugu Desam and many other political parties is responsible for split in these political parties.

14. Defections:
Indian party system is known for defections. There are many examples of defections from the first to fourth general elections but the number of defections after the fourth general elections increased so much that parliamentary form of government seemed to be an utter failure in India. Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai had to resign in July, 1979 as many members left the Janata Party.

Defections took place abundantly before and after the Lok Sabha elections in 1980 and all was in favour of Congress (I). In January 1980, Haryana Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lai joined Congress (I) by leaving the Janata Party along with 35 members. The Himachal Chief Minister Shri Shanta Kumar had to resign in February 1980, because of heavy defection. But in Jan. 1985, the 52nd Amendment in Constitution was passed to remove the evil of defections. But the evil of defections is not removed. Even now we find many examples of defections.

15. More Emphasis on Leadership than on Programme:
Generally, political parties in India attach more importance to leadership than to their programmes.

16. Non-Principled Alliance of Political Parties:
Another important feature and defect of Indian Party System is that parties are always prepared to have non-principled alliance to achieve their vested interests.

Conclusion:
The detailed analysis of the Indian Party System clearly brings out the shortcomings of party system. The Indian party system lacks many important qualities which are essential for the success of the party system of government. Multiple party system, lack of organised political parties, presence of regional and communal parties, defections etc. are not healthy things for the success of parliamentary form of government in India.

Question 2.
Describe the Policies and Programmes of The Congress Party.
Or
Write in detail the Foreign Policy of The Congress (I).
Answer:
Indian National Congress is the oldest, well-organised and very important political party of India. After Independence, Congress Party dominated from 1947 to 1967 and from 1971 to 1977 as well as from 1980 to 1989. First split of the Congress took place in 1969 and second split in 1978 and third split in 1995. After the split of 1978 the Congress under the leadership of Mrs. Indira Gandhi was called The Congress (I). On March 12, 1996, the Election Commission recognised Congress (I) as the real Congress Party and it was allowed to
use ‘Hand’ as its party symbol. At present this party is known as Indian National Congress.

Policies And Programmes of Congress. At the time of 17th Lok Sabha election, Congress released the election manifesto in 2019. The manifesto asserted that the Congress is the only party which could govern and serve.
Following are the main policies and programmes mentioned in the election manifesto:
1. Congress pledges to give the highest priority to protecting existing jobs and creating new jobs.

2. Congress promises that all of the 4 lakh vacancies as on 1 April, 2019 in the Central Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Judiciary and Parliament will be filled before the end of March 2020.

3. Congress will work with State Governments to create new Seva Mitra positions (estimated at 10 lakh) in every Gram Panchayat and every Urban Local Body to ensure the effective delivery of government services to citizens.

4. Congress will link the definition of MSME to employment A business employing 10 persons or less will be ‘micro’; between 11 and 100 will be ‘small’; and between 101 and 500 will be ‘medium’.

5. Congress promises regulatory forbearance for Micro and Small Enterprises.

6. Congress promises to increase the share of India’s manufacturing sector from the current level of 16 per cent of GDP to 25 per cent within a period of 5 years and to make India a manufacturing hub for the world.

7. Congress will work with State Governments to set up New Industrial Towns with the required infrastructure and turn them into manufacturing hubs for a variety of industrial products.

8. Congress will announce a ‘Make for the World’ policy under which foreign and Indian companies will be invited to invest in ‘Exclusive Export-only Zones’, manufacture and export their entire production, pay no indirect taxes and pay a low rate of corporate tax.

9. Congress promises to augment the total length of national highways and increase the pace of construction.

10. Congress promises to massively modernise all outdated railway infrastructure.

11. Congress will formulate a policy on Clean Energy in existing power plants that use fossil fuels and promote Green Energy to enhance the share of solar and wind energy in the total supply of energy.

12. Congress promises to formulate a comprehensive policy on Urbanisation after wide consultation. We will address the issues concerning towns and cities including city governance, livelihoods, housing, habitat, pollution, climate change, urban transport and disaster management.

13. Congress will support State Governments to build new towns and cities as well as satellite towns.

14. Congress will introduce a new model of governance for towns and cities through a directly elected mayor with a fixed term of 5 years, an elected council and a separate administrative structure for each urban body.

15. Congress will enforce the 74th Amendment to the Constitution and ensure the devolution of powers, functions and funds to the Municipalities and Corporations, making them financially independent.

16. Congress promises the Right to Housing for the urban poor and protection from arbitrary eviction. We will build night shelters for the homeless so that no one will sleep in the open.

17. Congress will launch a Slum Upgradation and Transformation Scheme to ensure basic services such as drinking water, electricity and sanitation to slum dwellers. Slums will be transformed by replacing huts and kuccha dwellings with proper houses, roads and other public facilities.

18. Congress will launch MGNREGA 3.0 to address issues of water security, soil quality and similar issues that aggravate farmers’ distress. To this end, Congress will:

• Increase the guaranteed days of employment up to 150 days in cases where 100 days have been achieved in a block/district;
• Use MGNREGA labour in the Waterbodies Restoration Mission and the Wasteland Regeneration Mission; and
• Use MGNREGA funds to build public assets such as primary health centres, classrooms, libraries etc.

19. Congress promises to connect all villages and habitations with a population of 250 with a road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Boradband connectivity will be provided to all village Panchayats by the year 2021.

20. Congress will encourage and support micro and small enterprises that collectivise unorganised sector workers including waste pickers and scrap collectors.

21. Congress will ensure that notified minimum wages are paid to workers in the unorganised sector.

22. Congress will ratify ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of Association) and ILO Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining).

23. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be implemented in letter and spirit.

24. Debt is a civil liability and Congress will not allow criminal proceedings to be instituted against a farmer who is unable to pay his/her debt.

25. In order to ensure priority to the issues affecting the agriculture sector, we will present a separate “Kisan Budget”.

26. Congress promises to establish a permanent National Commission on Agricultural Development and Planning consisting of farmers, agricultural scientists and agricultural economists to examine and advise the government on how to make agriculture viable, competitive and remunerative. The recommendations of the Commission shall be ordinarily binding on the government. The Commission will subsume the existing Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and recommend appropriate minimum support prices.

27. Congress also promises to establish a Commission on Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Labour to advise on policies and programmes that will help them earn income from higher wages and from non-crop based agriculture such as horticulture and floriculture, dairying and poultry.

28. Congress will completely re-design the BJP government’s failed Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance Scheme) that has only enriched the insurance companies at the cost of the farmers. We will direct insurance companies to offer crop insurance and charge premiums on the principle of ‘no profit, no loss’.

29. Congress promises to reverse the BJP Government’s fiddling with the target of fiscal deficit. Congress promises to achieve the target of 3 per cent of GDP by 2020-21 and remain .under that limit.

30. Monetary policy is the province of the Reserve Bank of India. Congress promises to reverse the unwarranted and illegal interference by the BJP government into the functioning of the RBI.

31. Congress will adopt a policy on foreign trade that will ensure that exports become once again a key driver of economic growth.

32. Congress believes that the size of India’s GDP and the level of Total Expenditure (Central and State Governments) allow us to undertake an ambitious programme of cash transfer to the poorest sections of the people without in anyway affecting the goal of fiscal prudence. The main features of the Minimum Income Support Programme (MISP) or Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) will be:

• The target population will be 5 crore families who constitute the poorest 20 per cent of all families. They will be the beneficiaries of MISP or NYAY.
• Each family will be guaranteed a cash transfer of 72,000 a year.
• As far as possible, the money will be transferred to the account of a woman of the family who has a bank account or who will be urged to open a bank account;
• There will be a Design phase (3 months) followed by a Pilot and Testing phase (6-9 months) before roll-out.
• The rollout will be implemented in phases.
• The estimated cost will be < 1 per cent of GDP in Year 1 and < 2 per cent of GDP in Year 2 and thereafter.
• As the nominal GDP grows and families move out of poverty, the cost will decline as a proportion of GDP.

33. Congress promises to enact the Direct Taxes Code in the first year of our government. It will usher in an era of simplicity, transparency, tax equity, easy compliance and impartial administration.

34. Congress promises that the Direct Taxes Code will levy taxes at reasonable and progressive rates having regard to the level of current incomes, income inequalities and the principles of tax equity.

35. Congress promises to review and replace the current GST laws with the GST 2.0 regime that will truly reflect the intent and purpose of a non-cascading, value-added, indirect tax.

36. The GST 2.0 regime will be based on a single, moderate, standard rate of tax on all goods and services.

37. The GST 2.0 regime will levy a special rate of duty on demerit goods.

38. Congress promises that Real Estate (all sectors), Petroleum Products, Tobacco and Liquor will be brought within the ambit of GST 2.0 in a manner and time period not exceeding 2 years agreed to in the GST Council.

39. Congress promises a comprehensive review of the concept, role and functions of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in order to make PSBs robust and competitive with healthy balance sheets.

40. Congress will amalgamate 2 or more PSBs so that there will be only 6-8 PSBs with a national presence and reach. Each of the amalgamated PSBs will be adequately capitalised.

41. Congress promises to work with industry to increase the expenditure on science and technology to 2 per cent of GDP.

42. Congress will establish a separate Ministry of Fisheries and Welfare of Fisherfolk.

43. Congress will constitute a National Fisherfolk Commission to promote fishing and the welfare of fisherfolk. It will address indebtedness and appropriate funding mechanisms for fishing.

44. Congress will reverse the trend of declining defence spending under the NDA government, and will ensure that defence spending is increased to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces. We will expedite all modernisation programmes of the armed forces in a transparent manner.

45. The key to internal security is intelligence, analysis and quick response. Congress will put in place the Multi-Agency Centre and the NSG regional hubs. Congress also proposes to establish the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and NATGRID.

46. Congress affirms its firm belief in the continued relevance of the policy of friendship, peaceful co-existence, non-alignment, independence of thought and action, and increased bilateral engagement in its relations with other countries of the world.

47. Congress promises to establish a National Council on Foreign Policy consisting of members of the Cabinet Committee on Security, scholars, domain experts and diplomats to advise the Government on matters concerning foreign policy.

48. Congress will work closely with all countries of the world, and particularly India’s neighbours and the G-20 countries, in various multi-lateral forums and institutions.

49. Congress will re-double the efforts to win for India permanent membership in the UN Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

50. Congress will work with SAARRC and ASEAN countries to enhance the volume of trade, investments, tourism and cultural exchanges and reap the benefits of geographical proximity.

51. Congress will increase the strength of border guarding forces—BSF, SSB, ITBP and Assam Rifles—and post them on or close to the border to prevent infiltration, illegal immigration and smuggling.

52. Under the UPA Governments, Congress accepted the principle of One Rank One Pension (OROP) and took 3 steps in 2006, 2010 and 2013 towards implementing the same. In February 2014, the UPA Government decided to close the gap for all retirees in all ranks. Ex-servicemen believe that the BJP Government has not implemented OROP to their satisfaction. Congress promises to remove the anomalies in the implementation of OROP.

53. Congress promises to re-establish the Ministry of Overseas Indians that will be asked to address the concerns of NRIs including their safety, conditions of work, social security and health benefits, education of their children, need for financial services and safe return to India.

54. Congress promises to re-constitute the National Integration Council to promote unity, solidarity, communal harmony, fraternity and reconciliation. Congress promises to work with the Council to fight divisive and communal forces that are a danger to the unity and solidarity of the country.

55. Congress will review the Right to Information Act, 2005 in the light of its working in the last 14 years and omit provisions that may have diluted the Act and add provisions to strengthen the Act. In accordance with the letter and spirit of the Act, Congress promises to appoint as Information Commissioners qualified persons drawn from different sections of the society.

56. Congress promises to take forward the idea of the GST Council of Ministers and establish such Councils for Agriculture, Education and Healthcare.

57. Congress will implement the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission and will urge the States to implement the recommendations of their respective State Finance Commissions.

58. Congress, as the author of the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments, will prevail upon the States to implement those provisions in letter and spirit and devolve funds, functions and functionaries upon the Panchayats and Municipalities.

59. Congress will give Special Category status to Andhra Pradesh as promised by Dr. Manmohan Singh on 20 February 2014 in the Rajya Sabha.

60. Congress will enhance representation at all levels of the judiciary for women, SC, ST, OBC minorities and other under-represented sections of society.

61. Omit Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (that defines the offence of ‘sedition’) that has been misused and, in any event, has become redundant because of subsequent laws.

62. Amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in order to strike a balance between the powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens and to remove immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture.

63. Congress promises to set up a National Election Fund to which any person may make a contribution. Funds will be allocated at the time of elections to recognised political parties in accordance with criteria laid down by law.

64. Congress will ensure that EVMs and WPATs are tamperproof.

65. ‘Police’ and ‘Law & Order’ are State subjects. Congress promises to consult State Governments and reach a consensus on the police reforms directed by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case. Based on the consensus, Congress will pass a Model Police Act and the States will be advised to adopt and enact in the State Legislatures.

66. Congress will scrap the Niti Aayog, which has proved to be a noisy and incompetent intermeddler. Congress promises to constitute a Planning Commission with re-defined responsibilities such as to formulate medium and long-term perspective plans and to function as an independent expert body to perform crucial functions in a federal system.

67. Congress promises to pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to provide for reservation of 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha.

68. Congress promises a holistic agenda of affirmative action for SCs, STs and OBCs who constitute a little more than 75 per cent of the population. Hence, Congress promises to set up an Equal Opportunities Commission, which will recommend affirmative action strategies and policies to achieve equality and equity in education, employment and in economic opportunities. We will implement the recommendations of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

69. Congress affirms that the whole of Jammu & Kashmir is part of India. We also acknowledge the unique history of the State and the unique circumstances under which the State acceded to India that led to the inclusion of Article 370 in the Constitution of India. Nothing will be done or allowed to change the Constitutional position.

70. Congress promises to restore the Special Category status to the NES.

71. Congress promises to enforce strictly the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, 2017.

72. Congress promises that the total government expenditure on healthcare will be doubled to 3 per cent of GDP by the year 2023-24. The Annual Budgets will indicate the step up in each year in order to achieve the target in 2023-24.

73. Congress promises to double the allocation for Education to 6 per cent of GDP in the 5 years ending 2023-24. A path forward will be laid down in the regular Budget for 2019-20 and specific annual targets will be set.

74. Congress promises universal access to potable drinking water. The National Drinking Water Mission will be reviewed and strengthened. Budget allocations will be substantially increased.

75. Congress will constitute, by law, an independent, empowered and transparent Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to establish, monitor and enforce environmental standards and regulations. The EPA will replace all other bodies that currently exercise jurisdiction and powers.

76. Congress promises to re-visit the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 and incorporate changes, based upon the experience gained in the working of the Act and in managing natural disasters that have occurred over the last 14 years.

77. Congress promises to respect the autonomy of the Indian Olympic Association and the Apex Body of each sport. Government will work with each body to promote the sport concerned.

Election Successes:
In the Lok Sabha elections of 1980, Congress (I) secured 351 seats out of 525 seats and thus won two-thirds majority in the House. But Congress (I) got 43% votes of the total votes polled. The election statistics reveal the fact that Congress (I) mostly lost those seats where the opposition parties could organise the people on social and economic basis. Congress (I) formed the government under the leadership of Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

Congress (I), under the leadership of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, won an impressive victory in the eighth general elections to the Lok Sabha. It got 401 seats out of 508 for which elections were held in December 1984. It was a great personal triumph for Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, an unprecedented sweep for the Congress (I).

In the Lok Sabha elections of 1989, Congress (I) secured 194 seats and Mr. Rajiv Gandhi resigned from the Prime Ministership. In the ninth State Assemblies elections in Feb. 1990, Congress (I) was defeated badly in M.P., Rajasthan, Bihar, Himachal, Gujarat and Orissa. Congress (I) was able to form governments only in Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. In the tenth Lok Sabha elections in May-June 1991, Congress (I) secured 225 seats and its leader P.V. Narsimha Rao formed the government.

In April-May 1996, eleventh Lok Sabha elections were held and Congress Party secured only 140 seats. In February-March, 1998 Congress secured 142 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections. In the 14th Lok Sabha election Congress secured 145 seats. Dr. Manmohan Singh led the 19-party ruling coalition of United Progressive Alliance.

In the 15th Lok Sabha election held in 2009, Congress Party secured 206 seats and UPA formed government under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh. In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014, Congress Party secured only 44 seats. In the 17th Lok Sabha election held in 2019, Congress Party secured only 52 seats.

Question 3.
Describe the policies and functions of Bhartiya Janata Party.
Or
Evaluate policies and programme of Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.).
Answer:
Though Janata Party faced a split in July 1979 on the issue of dual membership, this controversy didn’t end even after the split. On 19th March, 1980, the Parliamentary Board of Janata Party decided by majority vote that “no legislator or office-bearer of the Janata Party shall participate in the day-to-day activities of the R.S.S.” But the leaders of the erstwhile Jana Sangh Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr. L.K. Advani and Nanji Deshmukh—expressed their strong reservation on it and recorded their dissent.

On 4th April, 1980, the National Executive of the Janata Party endorsed by a narrow majority the Central Parliamentary Board’s decision that legislators and office-bearers should not participate in the day-to-day activities of the R.S.S. With this decision of the national executive, split in the Janata Party was imminent. Soon after the decision was made known, some of the Jana Sangh leaders said: “We cannot help it. How can we remain in the party now?’

On 5th April, 1980, the members of former Jana Sangh group called a two-day national convention at Delhi and decided to form a new party. The conference was presided over by Mrs. Vijaya Raje Scindia. On 6th April, a new political organisation the Bharatiya Janata Party was born under the presidentship of former foreign minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. On April 24, 1980 the Election Commission granted recognition to the group led by Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee as a ‘national party’ with the distinct name of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The B.J.P. was also allotted the symbol of ‘lotus’.

Policies and Programme of the Bharatiya Janata Party. At the time of 17th Lok Sabha elections B.J.P. released the election Sanklap Patra.
Following is the programme which the B.J.P. offers to the people for taking India to its destiny— a modern, peaceful and prosperous nation on the road to an exciting future.

1. B.J.P. believes that our security doctrine will be guided by our national security interest only. This is exemplified by the Surgical Strikes and the Air Strike carried out recently. We will firmly continue our policy of‘Zero Tolerance’
against terrorism and extremism and will continue to follow our policy of giving a free hand to our security forces in combating terrorism.

2. B. J.P. will speed up the purchases of outstanding defense related equipments and weapons.

3. In order to ensure self-reliance in procurement of defence equipment B.J.P. have taken several effective steps in the last five years. For instance, the most modern AK-203 automatic rifles are being manufactured at Amethi under our “Make in India in Defence’ initiative. B.J.P. is committed to focus on “Make in India in Defence’ to enable indigenous production of defence equipment. This will also generate employment and encourage investment in the defence sector.

4. B.J.P. will continue to take forward the process of modernizing the Central Armed Police Forces to further increase their capacity and readiness and enable them to effectively combat internal security challenges.

5. There has been a huge change in the cultural and linguistic identity of some areas due to illegal immigration, resulting in an adverse impact on local people’s livelihood and employment. B.J.P. will expeditiously complete the National Register of Citizens process in these areas on priority. In future B.J.P. will implement the NRC in a phased manner in other parts of the country.

6. B.J.P. is committed to the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the protection of individuals of religious minority communities from neighbouring countries escaping persecution.

7. B.J.P. reiterates its position since the time of the Jan Sangh to the abrogation of Article 370. B.J.P. is also committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non¬permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir. On 5-6 August 2019, Article 370 and 35-A were abrogated from Indian Constitution.

8. B.J.P. launched Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to ensure financial support to farmers owning land up to 2 hectares.

9. B.J.P. will launch a pension scheme for all small and marginal farmers in the country so as to ensure social security to them on reaching 60 years of age.

10. B.J.P. is committed to making an investment of? 25 lakh crore to improve the productivity of the farm sector.

11. B.J.P. will provide short-term new agriculture loans up to? 1 lakh at a 0% interest rate for 1-5 years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount.

12. B.J.P. will work towards reducing all agricultural imports and institute a predictable export and import policy with a built-in mechanism for encouraging exports and discouraging imports.

13. B.J.P. will ensure timely availability of improved seeds of promising varieties at affordable rates with doorstep testing facilities.

14. B.J.P. recognizes the role Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can play in ensuring better market linkages and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

15. On the lines of Aadhaar project, B.J.P. will complete digitization of land records on a mission mode.

16. B.J.P. will launch ‘Matsya Sampada Yojana’ with an allocation of? 10,000 crores to ensure availability of storage and marketing tools and infrastructure like ice-boxes, cold storages, ice-plants etc. for small and traditional fishermen.

17. B.J.P. will ensure a pucca house to every family who are either living in a kuchha house or have no access to housing by 2022.

18. B.J.P. will launch ‘Jal Jivan Mission’ under which to introduce a special program, ‘Nal se Jal’ to ensure piped water connection to every household by 2024.

19. B.J.P. will ensure 100% disposal of liquid waste water and reuse of waste water.

20. To make India the third largest economy of the world by 2030. This implies that B.J.P. commits to make India a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2025 and US$ 10 trillion economy by 2032.

21. B.J.P.’s economic policy has been guided by the principle of lowering the tax rate and improving compliance; thereby broadening of the tax base. With improved compliance and increased tax base, the tax to GDP ratio has reached 12%, highest in the recent past, up from 10.1% in 2013-14. This increased revenue has been deployed for benefits to the poor and creation of infrastructure at an unprecedented level. We will continue with our policy in the similar manner – lowering of tax rate thereby rewarding honest tax payers and improving compliance.

22. B.J.P. will continue with the simplification of GST process by engaging in dialogue with all stakeholders.

23. B.J.P. will further continue its efforts to promote Yoga globally as the world celebrates 21st June as the International Yoga Day.

24. By 2024, B.J.P. will make capital investment of? 100 lakh crore in the infrastructure sector.

25. With the aim of developing India into a knowledge based, skill supported and technology driven society, B.J.P. has launched the ‘Make in India’ campaign. To bring in fast and inclusive growth, we have also carried out substantial reforms in the last few years in terms of de-regulation and de-licensing, with an aim to improve ease of doing business.

26. B.J.P. will continue to promote and encourage Startups through creation of a ‘Seed Startup Fund’ of? 20,000 crore.

27. B.J.P. will aim at next generation infrastructure which will include gas grids and water grids, i-ways, regional airports and wayside amenities along National highways.

28. B.J.P. has constructed over 9 crore toilets under the flagship programme, Swachh Bharat Mission. B.J.P. will take the Mission to a new level through sustainable Solid Waste Management in every village.

29. B.J.P. will ensure that all habitations attain open defecation free status and those that have attained the status sustain the behavioural change.

30. Water is a critical resource but its management is spread across various departments, even at the Central level. B.J.P. will form a new Ministry of Water unifying the water management functions to approach the issue of water management holistically and ensure better coordination of efforts.

31. B.J.P. will launch ‘Jal Jivan Mission’ under which it will introduce a special programme, ‘Nal se Jal’ to ensure piped water for every household by 2024.

32. B.J.P. will ensure sustainability of water supply through special focus on conservation of rural water bodies and ground water recharge.

33. B.J.P. will construct 60,000 kms of National Highways in the next five years.

34. B.J.P. will make all efforts to make the experience of rail journey safe, smooth, clean and satisfying to achieve great results.

35. In 2014 there were 65 functional airports and there are a total of 101 functional airports today. In the next five years, B.J.P. will double the number of functional airports.

36. B.J.P. will further work towards completing any unfinished task in regard to electrificiation.

37. Every Gram Panchayat will be connected with high speed optical fibre network by 2022.

38. While providing annual health cover of? 5 lakh to 10.74 crore poor families under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana under
Ayushman Bharat, B.J.P. also initiated a programme to set up 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) by 2022.

39. B.J.P. is committed to the idea of simultaneous elections for Parliament, State assemblies and local bodies to reduce expenditure, ensure efficient utilisation of government resources and security forces and for effective policy planning.

40. In order to curb corruption, the Modi government has taken many effective steps and will continue to make efforts to ensure more effective governance and transparent decision making.

41. B.J.P. has ensured that the insurgency in the Northeastern States is brought under control and the security situation in these states has improved significantly.

42. B.J.P. will create new opportunities of employment by providing more support to the 22 major ‘Champion Sectors’ identified as the main drivers of Indian economy.

43. B.J.P. will take all necessary steps to increase the number of seats in Central Law, Engineering, Science and Management institutions by at least 50% in the next five years.

44. B.J.P. will formulate a ‘National Policy for Reskilling and Upskilling’ to evolve a flexible and industry-responsive workforce which is capable of accessing new opportunities and to insulate it from technological shocks.

45. The gains made under B.J.P.’s pioneering ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme have been impressive. We are committed to continue to build on these gains to provide accessible and affordable quality education to all women. We will ensure that ample financial support is available to girls throughout their education and subsidised education loans are provided for higher education.

46. To generate better work opportunities for women, 10% material to be sourced for government procurement will be done from MSMEs having at least 50% women employees in their workforce.

47. Women’s welfare and development will be accorded a high priority at all levels within the government, and the B. J.P. is committed to 33% reservation for women in parliament and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment.

48. To ensure that quality education is available and easily accessible, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons will have an Eklavya Model Residential School.

49. B.J.P. is committed to bringing down the percentage of families living below the poverty line to a single digit in the next five years.

50. B.J.P. will ensure pucca houses for families either living in kuchha houses or without access to housing by 2022.

51. To take forward the gains achieved under Sugamya Bharat, B.J.P. will put in place a system of continuous accessibility audits and ratings for cities, public infrastructure including airports, railway stations and public transport systems, to ensure that they are fully accessible, with collaboration with industry and civil society organisations.

52. B.J.P. will expand the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme to cover all small shopkeepers.

53. B.J.P. reiterates its stand on Ram Mandir. B.J.P. will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution and all necessary efforts to facilitate the expenditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

54. B.J.P. is committed to ensure a clean and uninterrupted flow of river Ganga from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar.

55. B.J.P. will undertake every effort to ensure that the subjects of faith, tradition and worship rituals related to Sabarimala are presented in a comprehensive manner before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. It will endeavour to secure constitutional protection on issues related to faith and belief.

56. B.J.P. will further promote Yoga globally as the world celebrates 21st June as the International Yoga Day.

57. Article 44 of the Constitution of India lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a Uniform Civil Code, which protects the rights of all women, and the BJP reiterates its stand to draft a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with the modern times. .

58. B.J.P. will create an. institutional mechanism to deepen the relationship of culture and heritage with people of Indian origin, and to regularly engage with them. B.J.P. will simultaneously launch ‘Bharat Gaurav’ campaign to increase interaction among the Indian diaspora and enable their continuous engagement with the Indian missions.

59. B.J.P. is committed to taking concrete steps on international forums against countries and organizations supporting terrorism, and will take all necessary measures to isolate such countries and organisations on the global stage.

60. B.J.P. will effectively pursue co-operation against global evils, such as terrorism and corruption through forums like UN, the G20, BRICS, SCO, Commonwealth, etc. Significant interactions such as Russia-India-China (RIC) and Japan-America-India (JAI) will be strengthened. To forward our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, B.J.P. will extensively leverage forums such as
BIMSTEC, to accelerate regional coordination and economic co-operation with countries in our neighbourhood. Act East Policy, cooperation with ASEAN and ensuring an open, inclusive, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific will be pursued vigorously.

61. B.J.P. is committed to seeking permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council so that the body reflects the contemporary geopolitical realities of the world. It is determined to intensify its efforts towards these objectives.

Election Successes:
The Election Commission recognised the Bharatiya Janata Party as national party and its election symbol was Kamal flower (lotus). In the Lok Sabha elections of December 1984, the B.J.P. secured only two seats. In the 11 States Assembly Elections of March 1985 the party did not succeed much. In the ninth Lok Sabha elections of November, 1989 the B.J.P. secured 86 seats. The B.J.P. decided to support National Front government from outside.

In the eighth State Assembly elections in Feb, 1990, the B.J.P. secured absolute majority in Himachal and M.P. In the tenth Lok Sabha election in 1991, B.J.P. secured 119 seats and in U.P. it formed the government. In 1991 the B.J.P leader L.K Advani was recognised as leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. In the elections held for 11th Lok Sabha in 1996 the B.J.P. emerged as the largest party securing 161 seats. Its leader Atal Behari Vajpayee was appointed Prime Minister and he was asked to prove his majority up to 31st May, 1996 but Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee resigned on May 28,1996 because he failed to prove his majority in the Lok Sabha.

Atal Behari Vajpayee was the recognized opposition leader in the 11th Lok Sabha. In the 12th Lok Sabha elections held in Feb- March 1998, the B.J.P. secured 182 seats. The B.J.P. and its allies secured 252 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee was elected as the Party leader by the newly elected B.J.P. Lok Sabha members. Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee was appointed the Prime Minister.

In the 13th Lok Sabha elections held in Sept.-Oct. 1999, the B.J.P. secured 182 seats whereas B.J.P and its allies secured 297 seats. On 10th Oct 1999, National Democratic Alliance elected Atal Behari Vajpayee as its leader and he was appointed the Prime Minister. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections B.J.P. secured 147 seats. In the 15th Lok Sabha elections B.J.P. secured 116 seats.

In the 16th Lok Sabha elections held in 2014, B.J.P secured 282 seats (N.D.A. 334) and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Narender Modi. In the 17th Lok Sabha election held in 2019, B.J.P. Secured 303 seats (N.D.A. 355 seats) and again formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Narendra Modi.

Question 4.
Discuss the policies and programme of the Communist Party of India.
Evaluate the policies and programme of the Communist Party of India.
Answer:
The Communist Party of India is a national political party. It was founded in 1924. Shri M.N. Roy played a vital role in its foundation.
The party progressed enormously after Independence. In 1957, this party got an opportunity to form Government in Kerala. This was the first non-Congress State

Government in India. This party had differences in 1959 and was divided into two groups. In 1962, when India had conflict with China, one group of the party supported the Indian Government whereas the other group sided with China and suggested the Indian Government to initate peaceful dialogue with China. This party was divided into two groups because of the differences between Russian and Chinese ideologies. In 1964 leftist members of the Communist Party left the Party and organised a separate party known as Marxist Party.

Programme of the C.P.I. The Communist Party in fact is a party of labourers and farmers. It aims at the elimination of capitalism through Labour movements and then to establish the control of labour class on the Government.
On the eve of general elections to the 17th Lok Sabha held in April-May 2019 the CPI released the Election Manifesto. The party will strive to build the third front in defence of secularism, democracy, federal polity, development with social justice, and other issues affecting the country.
1. Political Programme:
(i) The C.P.I. attaches the utmost priority to safeguarding the integrity, security and sovereignty of India.

(ii) The C.P.I. favours the preservation and strengthening of the secular democratic set up of the country in the struggle against all types of divisive forces.

(iii) The manifesto calls for 10 per cent job reservation for the economically weaker sections of forward castes in addition to the implementation of the Mandal Commission report.

(iv) The Party is for the speedy implementation of comprehensive measures for social justice.

(v) The Party has demanded restructuring of Centre-State relations in the true spirit of federalism. The states should be given more powers as recommended by the Sarkaria Commission.

(vi) The Party called for the abrogation of Article 356 of the Constitution, and enlarging democratic and civil rights of the people.

(vii) The fate of state government is to be decided on the floor of the house.

(viii) The Party has demanded real decentralisation to be carried out by conferring more powers and financal resources to elected bodies at district, block and Panchayat levels.

(ix) The Party favours effective steps for the elimination of corruption. Lok Pal Bill, which included within its scope legislators and also the Prime Minister, should be adopted. Transfers and postings which are a fertile source of corruption should be done by a committee of senior officials.

(x) All legislators, MPs, MLAs, ministers and high officials must disclose their assets and place them before parliament and assemblies.

2. Economic Programme:
The Economic Programme of the Communist Party of India is as below:
(i) The Indian economy needs reforms for ending bureaucratic control and cutting red tape, but not by introducing liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation. The public sector has to be defended from the wholesale attack of privatisation. Cure for the ills of the public sector enterprises should be sought within the public sector itself and not by automatically privatising them.

(ii) The party wanted an integrated plan for rural development with 50 per cent of budget allocation, radical agrarian reforms, correction of land records and ban on evictions.

(iii) Popular Committees should be formed to bring about land reforms. It suggests that the Land Ceiling Act and Land Reforms Act should be implemented.

(iv) The party has demanded the nationalisation of Textile Industry, Sugar and Jute Mills and Bank-business.

(v) It has demanded to strenghten the Public Distribution System to control the rising prices and regularise the supply of essential goods.

(vi) The wholesale grain business should be nationalised and the Bank facilities should not be provided to hoarders.

(vii) The party demands that quick industrial and employment opportunities should be provided to strengthen economy.

(viii) The election-manifesto stresses that the privileges given to big industrial houses should be withdrawn and industries in the backward regions should be developed.

(ix) Democratic progress in the public sector should be encouraged and the labourers should be given shares in it.

(x) Need-based minimum wage for low-paid factory workers.

3. Social Programmes:
(i) Right to Work:
The party wanted the right to work to be included as a fundamental right in the Constitution and an unemployment allowance for the jobless. Employment guarantee schemes should be for a minimum of 200 days in a year at national minimum wage.

(ii) For Jawans And Ex-Servicemen:
The legitimate demands of army Jawans in regard to their working conditions and also just demands of ex-servicemen should be settled through negotiations.

(iii) Housing and Medical Aid for the People:
The party is for People’s Housing Policy by giving housing the status of a basic right. The party is also for an extensive free health programme, increasing the budget allocations for health and radically improving the health services in all districts.

(iv) Language Policy:
All languages shall be encouraged to develop as modern languages, and due recognition be given to the rights of Urdu and Sindhi under article 345 or 347 of the Constitution.

(v) Women’s Rights:
Equal rights should be given to men and women and the laws barring women of their rights should be negated. Women should be given same wages for same work as given to their male counterparts. Vital programmes for family welfare should be planned to ensure the welfare of mothers and children. Special vocational training programme for women should be started. The party is committed to reservation of women in panchayats and other local bodies.

(vi) Family Planning:
The Communist Party of India has demanded that the Family Planning Programme shouldn’t be implemented forcibly.

(vii) Education Policy:
The party has demanded implementation of compulsory primary education, mid-day meals for children in primary schools; free education upto the secondary stage; stipends and hostel facilities for students from low income groups and for girls, time bound programme of abolition of illiteracy and providing adequate funds to fulfil this aim.

(viii) Rights of the Minorities:
The administration should take such steps which can safeguard the interests of Muslims, other minority groups and backward classes. The party favours giving priority to the genuine grievances of the minority community regarding discrimination in the matters of jobs and other economic spheres.

(ix) Ram Temple:
All cases related with Ram Temple-Babri Masjid dispute shall be referred to the Supreme Court and its decision shall be binding.

4. Foreign Policy:
The election manifesto states that the Indian Policy against imperialism should be strengthened. The policy of non-alignment should be vigorously adhered to. The party will improve relations with Bangala Desh, Pakistan and other SAARC countries and Russia and China. The party will also ensure that all nuclear weapons are removed from the US military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Economic ties with China and Russia will be strengthened. India is to remain firm in her principled refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. Positive and active role is to be played for developing south co-operation among all developing countries, and extending co-operation among the SAARC countries.

Election Successes:
In the first general elections in 1952, this party won 26 seats out of 489 in Lok Sabha. In the second general elections in 1957, the party got 29 seats out of 494 seats in Lok Sabha. The Party was divided at the time of general elections in 1967 and so it secured only nineteen seats.
In 1971 the party won 20 seats out of 518 seats in Lok Sabha. The party faced a crushing defeat in State Assembly elections in June 1977.

After the Kerala Assembly elections in March, 1977, the party made a coalition government. The Communist Party of India won 11 seats in Lok Sabha elections in 1980 wheares it got 54 seats in the nine State Assembly elections in May, 1980. The party secured only 8 seats in Lok Sabha elections of December 1984. In the ninth Lok Sabha elections of 1989 C.P.I. secured 12 seats wheares in the tenth Lok Sabha elections of 1991 it secured 13 seats.

C.P.I. secured 11 seats in the elections of 11th Lok Sabha held in 1996. C.P.I secured only 9 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections held in 1998. In the 13th Lok Sabha elections held in 1999, C.P.I. secured only 4 seats. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections C.P.I. secured 10 seats. In the 15th Lok Sabha elections C.P.I. secured 4 seats. The influence of the party is confined to the seats of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. In the 16th Lok Sabha elections held in 2014, C.P.I. secured only one seat. In the 17th Lok Sabha elections held in 2019, C.P.I. Secured only 2 seats.

Question 5.
Write an essay on the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Or
Discuss the Policies and Programme of Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Answer:
The Communist Party of India was divided into two groups on the issue of Indo-China relations in 1952. These differences became all the sharper when China attacked India in 1962. One group of party called the Chinese attack an invasion and promised to support the Indian Government to face it vigorously, whereas the other group which was under the influence of China, called it a territorial dispute. Consequently, the leftist members having one-third majority separated from the Communist Party in 1964 and founded the Marxist Communist Party.

Soon thereafter, this party was again divided in 1967-68. Some members of the Marxist Communist Party expressed their viewpoint that socialism should not be established through peaceful means, rather they should resort to the means of peasant revolt as it occurred in China. In March, 1967 the peasant revolt took place in Naxal Bari and Khari-Bari towns in Darjeeling and they forcibly possessed the non-government lands and robbed things everywhere. These rebels were called Naxalites. The Marxist Communist Party expelled such members from the party, but naxalite activities increased. These members formed their separate party which is called Marxist Leninist Communist Party (C.P.I.M.L.), but this group didn’t get much support and it harmed Marxist Communist Party also.

Aims:
According to Article II of the party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is the revolutionary vanguard of the working class of India. Its aim is socialism and communism through the establishment of the state of dictatorship of the proletariat. In all its activities the party is guided by the philosophy and principles of Marxism- Leninism which shows to the toiling masses the correct way to the ending of exploitation of men, their complete emancipation. The party keeps high the banner of proletarian internationalism.

Policies and Programmes of the Marxist Party:
At the time of 17th Lok Sabha elections CPI (M) released the manifesto of the party, The Marxist Party put forward the following programme before the people:
1. Political Programme:
(i) The CPI (M) is to strengthen secular foundation of democracy. The party advocates legislation for separation of religion and politics in light of the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Bommai case. The Party favours effective prohibition of the use of religious issues for electoral purposes.

(ii) The CPM favours the restructuring of centre-state relations with more powers to the states for legislative measures to ensure balanced economic development to overcome regional imbalances.

(iii) The CPM promises devolution of finances to the states ending over-centralisation of resources at the centre.

(iv) The CPM favours the protection of the Rajya Sabha as the ‘Council of States’ to defend the federal structure of our Constitution; its members must belong to the states they are elected from.

(v) The CPM is committed for decentralisation of democracy to the grass-roots; proper devolution of power to the Panchayats; strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions; financial assistance to Panchayats to flow through state governments.

(vi) The party advocates maximum autonomy for the state of Jammu & Kashmir by revising article 370 of the Constitution. Regional autonomy is to be provided to Jammu and Ladakh regions within the state framework.

(vii) The party favours negotiation with all those groups in the North-East who are advocating separatism while firmly defending the integrity of the Indian Union.

(viii) The party advocates special provision for the development of the North-Eastern region.

(ix) National Security. The CPI (M) stands for halting nuclear weaponisation; revert to nuclear policy of developing India’s independent technological potential while not signing any international treaty which is discriminatory. The party is not in favour of signing CTBT. The party advocates cancellation of the Indo-US military cooperation agreement which links up India with the US global strategy. The party favours removal of nuclear weapons from the US military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

(x) Electoral Reforms.

• Amendment of the Representation of People’s Act to plug loopholes in enforcing ceiling on election expenditure.
• Proportional representation with partial list system.
• Effective steps to prohibit persons with criminal background from contesting elections.
• State funding in the form of material for recognised political parties.
• Amendment of the Anti-Defection Law.

(xi) Corruption. To check corruption, the CPM wants the immediate setting up of Lok Pal bringing in its purview the Prime Minister.

(xii) Judicial Reforms. The CPM favours reforms in judicial system to provide easy and speedy relief to the common people.

(xiii) The party is for the defence of national unity against secessionism, communal and divisive forces by mobilising the people and vigilance against imperialist agencies’ attempt at destabilisation.

2. Economic Programme:
(i) Land Reforms:
The party favours vigorous implementation of land reforms; distribution of land to the tiller; breaking of land concentration; correction of land records, security for tenants and issuance of joint pattas for women.

(ii) Agriculture:
Prohibit sale of agricultural lands to foreign companies; increase public investment in agriculture; ensure self-sufficiency in foodgrains production; cancellation of the debts of agricultural workers and poor peasants; remunerative prices for peasants’ produce; cheap credit and subsidised inputs for peasants.

(iii) Economic Sovereignty:
Safeguard the country’s economic sovereignty and Strengthen its self-reliance; reverse the policies of unbridled liberalisation which undermine its sovereignty.

(iv) Industries:
Stop privatisation of public sector; revise telecom, power policies, stop privatisation of financial sector, streamline public sector enterprises, provide them autonomy from bureaucratic controls and ensure workers’ participation in management.

(v) Price and Public Distribution System:
Curb price rise and ensure food security by expanding the public distribution system bringing into its ambit 14 essential commodities and reduce prices by 50 per cent; reduce issue price of foodgrains.

(vi) Reverse the present industrial policy;new policy to strengthen indigenous industry and domestic capacities; end of preferential treatment to foreign investors; entry of foreign capital to be decided on national priorities and technological needs.

(vii) Private sector to be encouraged to invest in new productive areas, R & D and the service sector like tourism.

(viii) Encouragement to small scale industries with adequate incentives and sufficient credit from bank.

(ix) Protection of traditional industries such as handloom, coir etc.

(x) Minimum fair wage for industrial and agricultural workers and middle class employees with dearness allowance to neutralise the rise in the cost of living and bonus as deferred wage. Full trade union rights to central and state government employees.

(xi) Employment or unemployment allowance for the unemployed in the urban and rural areas.

(xii) The CPM favours recognition of Trade Unions through secret ballot.

(xiii) The CPM wants granting of pension to working people as a third benefit, one-rank-one pension for ex-servicemen; upgrading pensions of all categories of pensioners in consonance with the cost of living.

(xiv) The CPM promises the protection of the rights of handicapped employees.

(xv) The CPM will provide yarn at control rate for weavers and provide adequate infrastructure for the marketing of their goods.

(xvi) The CPM favours greater plan allocation for spread of irrigation; proper schemes for crop insurance.

(xvii) The CPM is committed to central legislation protecting the rights of agricultural workers, their wages, living conditions and social benefits.

(xviii) Expansion of credit facilities for the poor peasantry and agricultural labour.

(xix) No licences for deep sea fishing to foreign companies and joint ventures to protect right of fishing people.

(xx) The CPM guarantees right to work as a fundamental right.

3. Social Programme:
(i) Education
(i) Introduction of compulsory primary education accompanied by free mid day meals, provision of text books and other education materials.
(ii) Free and universal education to be guaranteed for all children upto the age of 14 years. Constitutional Amendment to make education a basic right for children upto the age of 14.
(iii) Rapid expansion of primary school network.
(iv) Upgradation of the salaries of elementary school teachers.
(v) Support to mass literacy programmes.
(vi) Democratisation of the higher education system and development of vocational education.
(vii) The allocation must be atleast 10 per cent of the national budget and 30 per cent of the state budgets.

(ii) Health:
The CPI (M) advocates:
(i) Increasing the expenditure on public health upto 5 per cent of the G.D.P.
(ii) Provision of adequate network of primary health centres with sufficient stocks of medicines.
(iii) Ensuring supply of essential drugs at prices affordable to the common people.

(iii) Water Sources: The party advocates control on indiscriminate use of ground water. The party favours provision of potable drinking water to all villages as a priority task.

(iv) Employment:

• Guarantee right to work as a fundamental right.
• Provide food-for-work programme to generate employment.
• Ensure adequate credit for self-employment scheme for educated unemployed.
• Scrap freeze in recruitment in the government sector.

(v) Pensions: Grant of pension to working people as a third benefit; one rank one pension for ex-servicemen.

(vi) Social Justice for Dalits and Adivasis.

• Vigorous action against those who indulge in atrocities against the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other backward communities.
• Ensuring that quotas of reservation for Scheduled castes and tribes be filled up.
• OBC reservation to be implemented.
• Reservation to be extended to Dalit ChristiAnswer:
• The CPM favours reforms in judicial system to provide easy and speedy relief to the common people.

(vii) Women:
The status of women will be improved and they will be given equal property and other rights. To expand employment opportunities and equal legal rights for women of all communities. Registration of marriages to be made compulsory. One-third of the seats in legislatures and parliament will be reserved for women. Equal pay for equal work will be given.

(viii) Housing:
Housing will be accorded the status of a basic right for all citizens. Housing schemes for the urban and rural poor will be given top priority.

(ix) Ayodhya Dispute: The Ayodhya dispute is to be referred to the Supreme Court for a speedy judicial verdict.

(x) Rights of Minorities: Muslim and other religious minorities are to be protected against Hindu revivalism and Chauvinism.

4. Foreign Policy:
Strengthen the foreign policy of non-alignment and vigorous support for world peace and fight against the danger of nuclear war. The party is committed to support the people of neighbouring nations fighting for democratic rights. The party is for the improvement of relations with our neighbours. The party favours firm resistance against US imperialist attempts to impose its New World Order.

The party will ensure that all nuclear weapons are removed from the US military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The party will improve relations with Bangla Desh, Pakistan and other SAARC countries and Russia and China. Economic ties with China and Russia will be strengthened.

Election Successes. In the general elections of 1967 the Marxist Party secured 19 seats in the Lok Sabha. In Kerala E.M.S. Namboodripad led the coalition of leftist parties. In 1971 elections of Lok Sabha the Marxist Party secured 25 seats out of 518 seats. In 1980 elections of Lok Sabha it secured 35 seats. In the Dec. 1984 elections of Lok Sabha the CPI (M) won 22 seats. In the Ninth Lok Sabha election in November, 1989 the CPI (M) secured 33 seats whereas in the Tenth Lok Sabha elections it secured 35 seats.

CPI (M) secured 33 seats in the 11th Lok Sabha elections, 32 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections and 33 seats in the 13th Lok Sabha elections in 1999. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections CPI (M) secured 43 seats. In the 15th Lok Sabha election C.P.M. secured 16 seats. In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014, (CPI) (M) secured only 9 seats. West Bengal and Kerala are the strongholds of the party. In the 17th Lok Sabha elections held in 2017 C.P.I. (M) secured only 3 seats.

Question 6.
Discuss the main problems of the political parties in India.
Or
Discuss the problems faced by Party System in India.
Answer:
The political parties in India face problems. The three major problems of political parties in India are:
1. Organisational Problem.
2. Defections.
3. Problem of Finance.

1. Organisational problem:
The first major problem of political parties in India is organisational problem. Almost all national parties have a well- knit and disciplined organisation right from the local to the national level. Even the regional political parties like the A.D.M.K. and the Shiromani Akali Dal also have well-knit organisation. The political parties with specific ideology are more organised than parties without ideology. Access to governmental power and authority helps a party to organise its ranks in an effective manner.

Almost all political parties are facing the problems of factionalism and dissidence. The Congress Party has witnessed two major splits in three decades. In 1969 the Congress Party split took place and Congress was divided into Congress (O) and Congress (R). The Congress (R) maintained its organisational strength until the Janata Party unseated it from power in 1977 elections. On 1st January, 1978, split in Congress (R) took place and Congress (I) was established.

There are three Communist parties the C.P.I., the C.P.I. (M) and the C.P.I. (M.L.) which arose out of factional politics in the Communist Party of India. Factionalism was the most marked feature of the Janata Party’s functioning. The Party’s organisational weakness was compounded by personal ‘funds’ among its top three leaders (Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Jagjivan Ram) and the ‘extra Constitutional RSS connection’ which the Jana Sangh component was not willing to discard. In July 1979, Chaudhary Charan Singh delivered the first major blow to the party when he walked out along with his followers and revived the Lok Dal. In April, 1980 the former Jana Sangh elements, along with a few others, broke away from the Janata Party and formed a new party, the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Regional Parties like D.M.K., Shiromani Akali Dal and National Conference are also not free from factionalism. The D.M.K. split led to the formation of A.D.M.K. In May 1984, split in the National Conference took place. Akali Dal was split into two factions in 1962. In August 1980, Akali Dal was divided into Akali Dal (Longowal) and Akali Dal (Talwandi). In June 1985, United Akali Dal was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. Joginder Singh. In January 1995, there were two main Akali Dais—Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Akali Dal (Badal), and efforts were made to unite both the Akali Dais. Thus all political parties face the problem of factionalism.

2. Problem of Defections:
Defection is another major problem of Indian political parties. There are many examples of defections from the first to fourth general elections but the number of defections after the fourth general elections increased so much that Parliamentary form of government seemed to be an utter failure in India. Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai had to resign in July 1979 as many members left the Janata Party.
Defections took place abundantly before and after the Lok Sabha elections in 1980 and they were all in favour of the Congress (I). In January 1980, Haryana Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lai joined the Congress (I) by leaving the Janata Party along with 35 members. The Himachal Chief Minister, Shri Shanta Kumar, had to resign in February 1980 because of heavy defections.

Greater civic awareness against defections should be inculcated through mass media in order to provide a check on the practice of defections. In January 1985 defection was banned by 52nd Amendment. 91st amendment was also passed for this purpose. But the problem of defection still exists.

3. Problem of Finance:
Another major problem of political parties is the problem of finance. The political parties receive a substantial amount by way of membership fees. A common source of income for almost all the political parties is the levy on members of Parliament and of State Assemblies. At the time of election the persons who apply for party tickets also pay some fees along with the applications. Moreover, the candidates contribute substantially towards the party election fund.

But sometimes the parties completely underwrite the candidate’s entire election expenses. Donations, purses and fund drives have also been the main sources of income for practically all the political parties. Income is also got from purses presented to party leaders. Ruling party has no problem of finances whereas opposition parties are generally faced with financial problems.

Question 7.
Evaluate the policies, programmes and performance of Akali Dal in India.
Or
Make a critical evaluation of the policies, programmes and performance of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:
Shiromani Akali Dal is a regional or provincial party and holds a prominent place in Punjab politics. Akali Dal is the oldest political party of the Punjab and the second oldest party in India. Akali Dal came into being in 1920 due to the efforts of Master Tara Singh and Baba Kharak singh. In fact the party was established with religious motives rather than with political aims. It aimed at maintaining the sanctity of Gurudwaras. Shiromani Akali Dal also enjoys some influence in Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. But it has stronghold in Punjab as it is the only organisation which represents the Sikhs.

Policies and Programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal
The Assembly elections which took place in Punjab in February 2017, Shiromani Akali Dal had declared its ‘election manifesto’. The main/key features of this manifesto are as follows:

1. For every 100 kms range, a new airport shall be made/built.
2. The party had declared in its manifesto that all the lanes and highways of Punjab shall have CCTV cameras installed.
3. The declaration of the manifesto stated that all businessmen whose turnover is upto 2 crores need not maintain books.
4. The party will be creating 20 lakh new job opportunities in the next 5 years.
5. The limit of the free electricity from existing 8 hours to 10 hours will be increased.
6. According to the manifesto, the toppers of the XII standard of govt, schools will have opportunity of availing free education in foreign countries.
7. All towns/cities in Punjab shall have sports schools opened.
8. The girls of the XII standard will be given sewing machines.
9. The manifesto stated that within two months after the formation of their govt, all families below the poverty line will be given gas connections and gas stoves.
10. According to the manifesto, all express projects shall be completed within a year.
11. All cities/towns shall have wi-fi facility.
12. For the safety of 12,000 villages in Punjab, CCTV cameras shall be installed.
13. Shiromani Akali Dal had promised in its manifesto that new IT hubs will be opened in Amritsar and Mohali.
14. Malva zone will be transformed into a textile belt.
15. According to the manifesto, every lane of the village in Punjab shall have solar lights installed.
16. The manifesto stated that the link roads’ breadth shall be increased upto 18 feet.
17. Shiromani Akali Dal had promised that every constituency in Punjab shall have a government byre made (goshala).
18. According to the manifesto, 2500 skill development centres shall be opened. For every 5 villages one such centre shall be opened. The youth trainees of these centres shall be given a loan of 10 lakh rupees.
19. According to the mainfesto, the blue card holders will be given pure ghee @ Rs. 25 per kg and sugar @ Rs. 10 per kg.
20. Free electricity will be given to people below the poverty line.
21. The manifesto stated that amount of old age pension and widow pension will be increased to Rs. 2000/- p.m. from Rs. 500/- p.m.
22. The Shiromani Akali Dal had promised that the grant given in Shagun Yojana will be increased upto Rs. 51,000/- from Rs. 15,000/-
23. According to the manifesto of the party, the scheme amount of the Bhagat
    Puran Scheme Medical Insurance will be increased from Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 1 lakh.
24. The party manifesto said that in the next 5 years for providing the housing facility for 5 lakh people, Rs. 2,000 crore will be assigned.
25. According to the party manifesto, farmers will be given Rs. 100/- minimum as bonus and support price.
26. The party had promised the farmers an interest free loan of Rs. 2 lakhs annually.
27. Poor farmers will be provided one time debt redemption.
28. Compensation will be given in case of occurrence of any natural calamity/disaster.
29. New pucca houses will be given to 5 lakh persons who are living in kuccha houses.
30. In the next 5 years, 50,000 youths will be given taxis without any down payment.
31. According to the party manifesto, the amount of scholarship under Dr. Hargobind Singh Khurana, will be increased from Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 50,0001/-.
32. The manifesto includes one stop shops with daily consumer needs like atta, dal, medicines at lower prices.

Election Successes:
In 1967, a coalition government under the leadership of Akali leader Justice Gurnam Singh was formed in Punjab. In the Punjab assembly election in June 1977, the Akali Dal got 58 seats and formed a coalition government with Janata Party under the leadership of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal. In the Punjab assembly election in September 1985, the Akali Dal got 73 seats and it formed the government under the leadership of S. Surjit Singh Barnala.

In the Punjab assembly election in Feb. 1997, the Akali Dal secured 76 seats and it made a coalition government with the B.J.P. under the leadership of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal. In the 12th Lok Sabha election held in Feb. March 1998 the Akali Dal secured 8 seats and even Janata Dal candidate Prime Minister I.K. Gujral won the Jalandhar seat with the support of Akali Dal. Akali Dal’s ally B.J.P. secured 2 seats. In the 13th Lok Sabha election held in 1999 Akali Dal (B) secured only two seats.

In 14th Lok Sabha elections held in 2004 the party won 8 seats. In 15th Lok Sabha election held in 2009 Akali Dal secured 4 seats. In 2012 Akali Dal secured absolute majority in the Punjab Legislative Assembly election with the support of BJP. Therefore, Akali Dal formed the Govt, under the leadership of Sardar Prakash Singh Badal. In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014, the party won 4 seats.
In Punjab Assembly elections held in Feb 2017, Shiromani Akali Dal secured only 15 seats.

Question 8.
Discuss the policies and programmes of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Answer:
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was born in the context to Movement against corruption. This movement was started in 2008 by the great social worker Shri Anna Hazare which continued till 2012. Along with Shri Anna Hazare the other members of this movement were Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Shri Prashant Bhushan, Sh. Yogendra Yadav, Sh. Sanjay Singh, Sh. Kumar Vishwas, Mrs. Kiran Bedi and Sh. Kapil Mishra.

The main aim of the movement was to abolished the corruption which was existing at a high level and to create a strong law known as Jan Lokpal. Under the leadership of Anna Hazare, this movement achieved huge popularity and success. Even after the movement Arvind Kejriwal along with few others formed a political group to fight further against corruption. Anna Hazare was not in favour of a political party formation but Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan, Sanjay Singh, Kumar Vishwas, Kapil Mishra decided to form a political party.

Since Anna Hazare did not support in formation of such political party he was not a part of this. Therefore, a political party was formed. This party was launched on 26th November, 2012. It was recognized at a state level by the Election Commission of India. The party a majority influenced in Delhi and Punjab. The party’s election symbol is a ‘broom’. In February, 2015 Delhi’s Legislative Assembly elections AAP got a historic win and Arvind Kejriwal become the Chief Minister.

In the mean time two founders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra YadaV left AAP due to differences in governance operations among them. After some time even Kapil Mishra left the party. Again in February 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, AAP got a historic win and again Arvind Kejriwal “became the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Policies and Programmes of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
AAP Party declared its Election Manifesto during 2017, Punjab Assembly election: Following are the policies and programmes of AAP Party.
1. AAP will launch a massive drive to set the state as a pre-eminent destination for setting business and industry. The anti-corruption enforcement wings of Punjab will be given powers to make it a corruption free state.

2. Punjab Overseas Employment Corporation will be set up to promote employment of youth overseas. Foreign Employment Youth Board shall be created to train youth for foreign jobs. Punjab Launch pools will be set up to help the youth become entreprenuers.

3. Traditional forms of medicine practitioners will be registered as health workers. Reformation of nursing homes for independent a powerful health care system to rehabilitate patients good health implementation of ‘Nursing Act’, opening of ‘Pendu Sehat Clinics’ in villages with an aim of ‘Free Health for AH’.

4. Employment and entreprenuership opportunities for both rural and urban areas. Private and public health care services will be created to ease access to free medicine and check-ups for its citizens.

5. ₹5 lakhs health insurance will be provided to all Punjabis.

6. Old age, handicapped and widow pensions will be increased from ₹500 to ₹2500.

7. “Aam Aadmi Canteen” will provide ₹5 meals in all districts and sub-divisional towns.

8. The state shall be made drug-free within a month of govt, formation. Drug victims will be rehabilitated within six months of govt, formation. Politicians involved in drug trade will be jailed and their properties will be confiscated.

9. ₹5 lakh cashless health insurance scheme for treatment in private hospitals.

10. 25 lakh employment opportunities will be created.

11. Involvement in religious desecraters shall be given exemplary punishment.

12. Opening of “Mata Gujri training” academy for girls.

13. Creation of free Wi-Fi hotspots in all villages, cities and government colleges.

14. By December 2018 all farmers shall become debt-free.

15. Abolishment of application fee applying for government jobs.

16. ‘Kanshi Ram Youth Skill University’ will be set up in Doaba Region, with regional campuses in Malwa and Majha.

17. No direct relatives of MP, MLA Minister will be eligible for government contracts.

18. Existing Theka’ system under the control of politicians and cortels will be dismantled.

Achievements of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
Election Success:
In Delhi Assembly election, held in Nov-Dec, 2013, party wins 28, and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Arvind Kejriwal with the support of Congress Party. But only after 49 days, he regins from his post.

• In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in April-May, 2014 party wins 4 seats.
• In Delhi Assembly, election held in Feb, 2015 Party win historic 67 seats and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Arvind Kejriwal.
• In Punjab Assembly, election held in Feb, 2017 party win 20 seats.
• In 17th Lok Sabha election held in April-May 2019, party win only one seat.
• In Delhi Assembly election held in Feb, 2020, party again win historic 62 seats and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Arvind Kejriwal.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is called National Political Party?
Answer:
1. A Political Party is recognised as All India Party if it secures at least 6 per cent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the State Assembly and in addition if it also wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from any State or States.
Or
2. A political party is recognised as All India Party if it wins at least 2 percent seats in the Lok Sabha (11 Seats in the existing House having 543 members) and these members are elected from at least three different states.
Or
3. A political party is recognised as national party if a party is recognised as state party in a minimum of four states.

Question 2.
When did Indian National Congress Party come in existence?
Answer:
Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Indian National Congress was established under the guidance and direction of A.O. Hume. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Bombay which was presided over by W.C. Bannerji while A.O. Hume acted as its secretary.

Question 3.
Discuss any four features of Indian Party System.
Or
Write down any three characteristics of Political Party System in India.
Answer:
1. Multiple Party SystemIndia has a Multiple Party System. Election Commission has recognised eight national and 53 state parties. Seven National Parties are : Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, C.P.I., CPI (M), Nationalist Congress Party, Trinmool Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and National Peoples party.

2. Communal Parties-An important feature of Indian party system is the existence of communal parties.

3. Factionalism-Factionalism and groupings are present in most of the political parties.

4. Lack of discipline among the party members is an important feature of the Indian Party System.

Question 4.
What type of Party System is in India?
Answer:
There is multi-party system in India. But India’s multi-party system differs from the multiple party system of western countries. Congress Party dominated at the centre as well as in states before 1967. It was only in 1977 that the monopoly of the Congress Party ended for a short period and Non-Congress government was formed at the centre for the first time. But after 1989 Congress Party has not been dominating either at the centre or at the state level. The Election Commission has recognised eight National Parties and 53 state level parties.

Question 5.
Write a short note on the political programme of the Congress.
Answer:

• The highest priority for the Congress is to fulfil its pledge of giving power to the people.
• The Congress will resume the struggle against terrorism, secessionism, and fanaticism.
• The Congress will restore law and order, re-establish peace and rebuild democratic process in Punjab.
• Freedom of Information is a precious right. The Congress will make a law on this behalf.

Question 6.
Write four points of political programme of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Or
Write four important policies of the Bhartiya Janta Party.
Answer:
1. The B.J.P. has pledged to defend the unity and integrity of India. It believes that all Indians irrespective of their language, caste or creed, are one people.

2. The B.J.P. is committed to remove all sorts of corruption. The B.J.P. will make it obligatory on elected representative to make public his entire income and wealth within 90 days of election. The B.J.P. will appoint a Lok Pal to entertain complaints of corruption against anybody holding public office, including the Prime Minister.

3. The B.J.P. favours restructuring of centre-state relations in view of the quick economic development and decentralization.

4. The B.J.P. is pledged to defend the unity and integrity of India.

Question 7.
What is the policy of the B.J.P. (Bharatiya Janta Party) towards ending corruption?
Or
What is the policy of the Bhartiya Janta Party to abolish corruption?
Answer:
The B.J.P. holds that roots of all corruption lie in political and electoral corruption. The party is committed to remove all sorts of corruption. The party promises to appoint a Lok Pal to inquire into allegations of corruption against anybody holding public office including the Prime Minister.

Question 8.
Mention Foreign Policy of the B.J.P.
Answer:
The B.J.P’s foreign policy will be guided by the following agenda :
1. Sovereign equality amongst nations.

2. Promotion of Asian solidarity ; development of South Asian Regional Cooperation and emphasis on improved relations with neighbouring countries.

3. The BJP will launch a vigorous campaign for a permanent membership for India in the U.N. Security Council.

4. The BJP believes in improving relations with all neighbouring states. The BJP pledges to maintain friendly relations with Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka etc. India’s relations with the USA will be based on mutual respect and the BJP will endeavour to maintain friendly relations with Russia.

Question 9.
Write about the Economic policy of Marxist Communist Party.
Answer:

1. The party favours vigorous implementation of land reforms ; distribution of land to the tiller ; cancellation of the debts of agricultural workers and poor peasants etc.
2. The party favours that full trade union rights be given to central and state govt, employees.
3. The cotton textile and jute industry should be nationalised. Powerloom and handloom workers will be afforded relief and workers will be allowed to participate on an equal footing with management.
4. The CPM favours recognition of trade unions through secret ballot.

Question 10.
Write down Economic Policy of Communist Party of India.
Or
Mention four policies of Communist Party of India.
Answer:

1. Party promises to keep fifty per cent of the budget for development of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and so forth.
2. The party will prevent the dilution of government equity in banks, privatization of insurance sector and transfer of pension and PF funds into speculative markets.
3. A rational land and water management shall be undertaken through a national water policy which safeguards agriculture from droughts and floods and helps to solve inter-state disputes on water sharing.
4. The party guaranteed remunerative prices for peasants’ produce and comprehensive crop insurance scheme.

Question 11.
Write about the economic policies and programmes of Indian National Congress.
Answer:
The Congress promises speedy removal of poverty and development of agriculture and industry on scientific lines.

1. Cheap Food: The Congress has promised to provide all families below the poverty line, rice or wheat every month.

2. Employment: Employment is the major concern of government policy. The Congress is committed to achieve the target of full employment.

3. Agriculture: The party promises implementation of a policy that would add value to agricultural produce and that would create new markets for farm output. The emphasis would be more on the food processing and agro-based industries.

4. The party promises to accelerate economic growth and new investment and make India truly self-reliant.

Question 12.
Explain the role of Opposition Parties in democracy.
Answer:
1. Opposition parties act as a check on the anti-people policies of the government. One of the most important functions of the opposition parties is to criticise the wrong policies of the government.

2. The opposition parties point out the drawbacks in the laws, policies, plans, programmes of the government and the implementation thereof, so as to caution the people against the impending dangers.

3. The opposition parties give political education to the people.

4. The opposition parties criticise the Government in the House just to unmask the government before the nation and tries to win the public opinion for the next election by exposing the lapses and lacunae in the Govt, policies.

Question 13.
Write a short note on Economic Policy of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Answer:
1. The B. J.P. will make our economy truly Swadeshi by promoting native initiatives. It will be an economy of the people, by the people and for the people.

2. The B.J.P. will liberate the economy from the clutches of the bureaucratic controls.

3. The B.J.P. is committed to an economy that enables India to achieve its destiny in the forefront of the nations of the world. Foreign investment will be required and encouraged for world class technology. However, the BJP will strive to minimise India’s dependence on foreign savings.

4. The party promises to raise the income tax exemption.

Question 14.
Explain briefly political policies and programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:
1. Shiromani Akali Dal promises that true federalism as contained in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution alone can broaden and deepen the bonds of Unity and Integrity of the great Indian nation. The states ought to enjoy genuine autonomy – political, legislative, fiscal and administrative within the federal framework. Strengthening of states will strengthen the union.

2. Shiromani Akali Dal believes in the concept of peace and prosperity with honour and dignity.

3. Philosophy of Shiromani Akali Dal is based on eternal democratic, humane and egalitarian principles of “Kirt Karo, Nam Japo and Wand Chhako”.

4. Shiromani Akali Dal believes in the concept of peace and prosperity with honour and dignity.

Question 15.
Write any four weaknesses of Indian Party System.
Answer:
1. The first major problem of political parties in India is organisational problem. Almost all the political parties are facing the problems of factionalism and dissidence.

2. Defection is another major problem of Indian political parties. There are many examples of defections from first to fourth general elections but the number of defections after the fourth general elections increased so much that Parliamentary form of government seemed to be an utter failure.

3. Another major defect of the Indian party system is the existence of communal parties.

4. Another major problem of political parties is the problem of finance.

Question 16.
By whom, when and why Bahujan Samaj Party was formed in India?
Or
Who established Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)? Write down any three policies of this party.
Answer:
Bahujan Samaj Party is known as B.S.P. This party represents the ‘Dalits’. B.S.P. was formed on April 14, 1984 by Mr. Kanshi Ram.
Policies of BSP. Following the policies of B.S.P.

• Opposition to every type of discrimination based on caste, birth, religion and race etc.
• To provide homes to the SC’s and ST’s.
• To make public sector profitable and to strengthen it.

Question 17.
There is lack of inner democray in Indian Political Parties. Prove it.
Or
Why is it said that there is lack of inner democracy in Political Parties?
Answer:
The political parties lack internal democracy and are built from above around hierarchical frames. Majority of the politcal parties have not held elections of the party orgnisation at different levels for a long time. Moreover, High Command of the political parties have complete control over the party and there is very less freedom of expression within the parties.

Question 18.
Write down the names, symbols and Presidents of National Political Parties.
Answer:

Name of Party	Symbol	President
1. Bharatiya Janata Party	Lotus	Sh. J.P. Nadda
2. Indian National Congress	Hand	Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
3. Bahujan Samaj Party	Elephant	Miss Mayawati
4. Nationalist Congress Party	Watch	Sh. Sharad Pawar
5. Trinmool Congress Party	Flowers and Grass	Miss Mamata Banerjee
6. Communist Party of India	Ears of Corn and Sickle	Sh. D. Raja
7. Communist Party of India (Marxist)	Sickle, Hammer and Star	Sh. Sitaram Yechury.
8. National People Party	Book	C.Sangma

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How many total State Parties are there in India?
Answer:
In India there are National Political Parties as well as State Political Parties. Election Commission has recognised 53 state parties.

Question 2.
When did Indian National Congress Party come in existence?
Answer:
Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Indian National Congress was established under the guidance and direction of A.O. Hume. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Bombay which was presided over by W.C. Bannerji while A.O. Hume acted as its secretary.

Question 3.
Mention any two features of Indian Party System.
Answer:

• Multiple Party System-India has a Multiple Party System. Election Commission has recognised eight national and 53 state parties.
• Communal Parties-An important feature of Indian party system is the existence of communal parties.

Question 4.
What type of Party System is in India?
Answer:
There is multi-party system in India. The Election Commission has recognised eight national parties and 53 state level parties.

Question 5.
Write a short note on the political programme of the Congress.
Answer:

• The highest priority for the Congress is to fulfil its pledge of giving power to the people.
• The Congress will resume the struggle against terrorism, secessionism, and fanaticism.

Question 6.
Write two points of political programme of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Answer:

• The B.J.P. has pledged to defend the unity and integrity of India. It believes that all Indians irrespective of their language, caste or creed, are one people.
• The B.J.P. is committed to remove all sorts of corruption.

Question 7.
Explain the Industrial Policy of any National Political Party.
Answer:
The Congress Party emphasised modernisation, upgradation of technology, improvement in productivity and significant enhancement of the capabilities of management system. Special emphasis is on the development of agro-based industry.

Question 8.
Write the names of two political parties in India which are formed on the basis of caste.
Answer:

• D.M.K.
• AIADMK.

Question 9.
Write about the Economic policy of Marxist Communist Party.
Answer:

• The party favours vigorous implementation of land reforms; distribution of land to the tiller; cancellation of the debts of agricultural workers and poor peasants etc.
• The party favours that full trade union rights be given to central and state govt, employees.

Question 10.
What is the Agricultural Policy of Communist Party of India?
Answer:
The Agricultural Policy of C.P.I. is as under:

• The Party has demanded that the farmers, agricultural labourers and adivasis should be provided agricultural goods on cheap rates, and should be given loan facilities.
• Radical land reforms, distribution of surplus and government lands to the landless and poor peasants.

Question 11.
Write down Economic Policy of Communist Party of India.
Answer:

• Party promises to keep fifty per cent of the budget for development of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and so forth.
• The party will prevent the dilution of government equity in banks, privatization of insurance sector and transfer of pension and PF funds into speculative markets.

Question 12.
Explain briefly political policies and programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:
1. Shiromani Akali Dal promises that true federalism as contained in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution alone can broaden and deepen the bonds of Unity and Integrity of the great Indian nation. The states ought to enjoy genuine autonomy-political, legislative, fiscal and administrative within the federal framework. Strengthening of states will strengthen the union.

2. Shiromani Akali Dal believes in the concept of peace and prosperity with honour and dignity.

Question 13.
Explain economic policies and programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:

• Agriculture: Electricity will be supplied free of cost to all tubewells.
• Irrigation: The entire state’s cultivable land will be brought under irrigation, and new techniques of irrigation will be introduced.

Question 14.
Why is the number and importance of Regional Parties increasing in India?
Answer:
Very distinct peculiarity of Indian Party System is the existence of regional parties and regional parties are becoming very popular these days. Regional parties are becoming popular because these parties generally articulate a regional identity and particularism based on religion, language or culture.

Question 15.
Write down the names of Seven National Political Parties in India.
Answer:
The Election Commission has recognized Seven All India Parties. These are: The Indian National Congress, B.J.P., C.P.I., C.P.M., Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinmool Congress Party and Nationalist Congress Party.

Question 16.
Write down any two defects of Indian Political Party System.
Answer:

• The first major problem of political parties in India is organisational problem. Almost all the political parties are facing the problems of factionalism and dissidence.
• Defection is another major problem of Indian political parties.

Question 17.
By whom, when and why Bahujan Samaj Party was formed in India?
Answer:
Bahujan Samaj Party is known as B.S.P. This party represents the ‘Dalits’. B.S.P. was formed on April 14, 1984 by Mr. Kanshi Ram. Ms. Mayawati is the Supreme Leader of the BSP. The BSP has originated from the DS4 transforming itself into its political wing.

Question 18.
Write down the names of two National and two Regional Political Parties of India.
Answer:
National Political Parties: 1. Bharatiya Janata Party, 2. Indian National Congress.
Regional Political Parties: 1. Shiromani Akali Dal 2. National Conference.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What kind of party system exists in India?
Answer:
India has a multi-party-system.

Question 2.
At present how many National Parties exist in India?
Answer:
At Present eight National Parties exist in India.

Question 3.
At present how many state level parties exist in India?
Answer:
At present 53 state level parties exist in India.

Question 4.
In India who registers political parties?
Answer:
In India, the registration of political parties is done by Election Commission.

Question 5.
Who recognizes political parties in India?
Answer:
Election Commission.

Question 6.
When was Indian National Congress born?
Answer:
28 December, 1885.

Question 7.
When was Muslim League founded?
Answer:
Muslim League was founded in 1906.

Question 8.
When was Communist Party formed in India?
Answer:
Communist Party was formed in 1924.

Question 9.
When did division erupt in Communist Party of India?
Answer:
Communist Party was divided on 8 December, 1964.

Question 10.
Write down any one principle of Bhartiya Janata Party.
Answer:
Bhartiya Janata Party believes in secularism.

Question 11.
When was Janata Party founded?
Answer:
Janata Party was formally formed on 1 May, 1977. But practically it came into existence in January, 1977.

Question 12.
Which organisation was founded by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee?
Answer:
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had founded Bhartiya Janasangh in 1951.

Question 13.
Name any one national political party of India and its election symbol.
Answer:
Bharatiya Janata Party is a National Political Party and its election symbol is ‘Lotus’.

Question 14.
In which year was Anti-defection Law enforced?
Answer:
Anti-defection Law was enforced in 1985.

Question 15.
In which state, D.M.K. is related?
Answer:
D.M.K. is related to Tamilnadu.

Question 16.
After Congress, name the oldest political party in India.
Answer:
After Congress, the oldest political party in India is the Muslim League which was founded in 1906.

Question 17.
Write down names of two National Political Parties in India.
Answer:
1. Indian National Congress.
2. Bhartiya Janata Party.

Question 18.
Write names of any two state parties in India.
Answer:
1. National Conference.
2. Shiromani Akali Dal.

Question 19.
Mention any one salient feature of Indian party system.
Answer:
As in Switzerland, India too has a multi-party system.

Question 20.
Mention anyone problem of political parties in India.
Answer:
The organisational elections in almost all political parties are not held in time. There have been elections in Congress Party after about ten years.

Question 21.
Mention any one principle of the policy of Congress Party.
Answer:
Congress Party believes in secularism.

Question 22.
What is meant by left parties?
Answer:
The parties which support revolutionary social and economic changes are called as the left parties.

Question 23.
When was Bahujan Samaj Party established?
Answer:
Babujan Samaj Party, was established on 14th April, 1984.

Question 24.
Who is the present President of the B. J.P.?
Answer:
Sh. J.P. Nadda.

Fill in The Blanks

1. There is …………… party system in India.
Answer:
Multi

2. Election Commission has recognised …………… National Parties.
Answer:
8

3. Indian National Congress was founded in …………… .
Answer:
1885

4. Sh …………… is the President of the B.J.P.
Answer:
J.P. Nadda

5. Shiromani Akali Dal is an important Regional Party of …………… .
Answer:
Punjab.

True Or False Statement

1. Communist Party of India is based on the ideology of capitalism.
Answer:
False

2. Sh. Gopal Krishan Gokhle was founder of Congress Party.
Answer:
False

3. Bahujan Samaj Party was established by Mayawati.
Answer:
False

4. ‘Lotus’ is the election symbol of B.J.P.
Answer:
True

5. ‘Watch’ is the election symbol of Nationalist Congress Party.
Answer:
True

6. There is one party system in India.
Answer:
False

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
The Communist Party of India was formally founded in the year:
(a) 1924
(b) 1931
(c) 1925
(d) 1947.
Answer:
(a) 1924

Question 2.
In India there prevails:
(a) Single Party System
(b) Bi-party System
(c) Multi Party System
(d) Single as well as Bi-Party System.
Answer:
(c) Multi Party System

Question 3.
Bharatiya Janata Party was founded in:
(a) 1952
(b) 1977
(c) 1980
(d) 1984.
Answer:
(c) 1980

Question 4.
The Communist Party of India was divided in two Political Parties in …………. .
(a) 1957
(b) 1960
(c) 1962
(d) 1964.
Answer:
(d) 1964.