11 Apr National Party
National Party
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs for UPSC Examination” and the topic is about the ‘National Party’ which is in news, it covers “Polity and Governance” In GS-2; the following content has relevance for UPSC.
National Party
For Prelims: National Party
For Mains: GS-2, Polity and Governance
Why in news: The Election Commission of India on Monday revised the list of national and state political parties, granting national party status to the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, and downgrading veteran politician Sharad Pawer-led Nationalist Congress Party and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.
About National Party
In India, a national party is a political party that is recognized and registered by the Election Commission of India as a party that has a significant presence and following across multiple states or union territories in the country. These parties are considered to have a wide and established base of support among the electorate and have a presence in various regions of India. The Election Commission of India recognizes six political parties as national parties in India. These parties are:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The Bharatiya Janata Party, often referred to as the BJP, is a right-wing political party in India. It is currently the ruling party at the national level and in several states.
- Indian National Congress (INC): The Indian National Congress, commonly known as the Congress, is a centrist political party in India. It is one of the oldest and most prominent political parties in India.
- Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is a left-wing political party in India. It is a part of the larger Communist movement in the country.
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): The Bahujan Samaj Party is a political party in India that primarily represents the interests of the Bahujan Samaj, which includes Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. It has a significant base of support in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
- National People’s Party(NPP): The National People’s Party is an Indian political party at the national level, and its power is primarily concentrated in the state of Meghalaya. P. A. Sangma created the party following his expulsion from the NCP in July 2012. On June 7, 2019, it was granted national party status. It is the first political party in Northeast India to achieve this status.
- Aam Aadmi Party(AAP): The Aam Aadmi Party (often abbreviated as AAP) is an Indian political party. Following the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, Arvind Kejriwal and his colleagues launched it in November 2012. The AAP now governs the Indian states of Delhi and Punjab. ECI formally granted AAP the status of the national party on April 10, 2023.
When does the Election Commission of India confer “national” status on a political party
The Election Commission of India grants a political party “national” status based on certain criteria, which include the party’s performance in national and state-level elections, as well as its organizational strength and presence in multiple states or union territories across India. The specific criteria for a party to be recognized as a national party are:
- Performance in General Elections: A political party must win at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) from at least three different states in the most recent general election, or it must win a minimum of 6% of the total valid votes polled in four or more states in the latest general election.
- Performance in State Assembly Elections: A party must win at least 6% of the total seats in an assembly election in at least four states, or it must win a minimum of 6% of the total valid votes polled in four or more states in the latest assembly elections.
- Organizational Strength: A party must have a well-defined organizational structure, including active party units in at least four states.
- Recognition as a State Party: A party must be recognized as a state party in at least four states.
If a political party meets any of the above criteria, the Election Commission of India may grant it the status of a national party. It’s important to note that the criteria for national party recognition may change over time, as determined by the Election Commission of India.
The Advantages of Being Recognized as a National Party in India
Recognition as a national party in India can confer several benefits to a political party. Some of the key benefits of being recognized as a national party in India include:
- Eligibility for Reserved Symbol: A recognized national party is eligible to choose and exclusively use a reserved symbol, which is not available to unregister or unrecognized parties. This reserved symbol can help in creating a distinct identity and recognition among the voters.
- Access to State Funding: National parties are eligible to receive state funding for their election campaigns, which includes reimbursement of election-related expenses and free airtime on state-owned television and radio channels for election broadcasts. This can provide financial support to national parties during elections.
- Exclusive Broadcast Rights: National parties are entitled to exclusive broadcast rights on state-owned television and radio channels for their party propaganda during elections. This can provide them with a wider reach and visibility among the electorate.
- Representation in Election Commissions: National parties have the right to nominate their representatives to the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commissions, which are responsible for conducting elections and overseeing the electoral process in India.
- Recognition in Parliament: National parties are recognized as such in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and are given certain privileges and recognition in the proceedings of the house.
- Greater Electoral Visibility: Being recognized as a national party can provide a party with greater electoral visibility and legitimacy, as it indicates a wide base of support and presence across multiple states or union territories in India.
- Access to Voter Database: National parties have access to the voter database maintained by the Election Commission of India, which can be used for campaigning and strategizing during elections.
It’s important to note that the benefits and privileges associated with national party recognition may vary and are subject to the rules and regulations set forth by the Election Commission of India and other relevant authorities.
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