National and State Parties 

23 Sep National and State Parties 

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “National and State Parties”. This topic has relevance in the “Polity and Governance” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

What are the criteria for National and State Parties? 

For Mains:

GS2:  Polity and Governance

Why in the news?

Official records obtained through the Right to Information show that many recognised national and state parties still use the assigned land in New Delhi even though they were not supposed to.

National Parties:

• A national party in India is typically understood as a political party with a presence across the entire nation, as opposed to regional parties confined to specific states or regions. 
• However, being a national party does not automatically guarantee significant national political influence.

Criteria for Recognition as a National Party:

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a political party can be recognised as a national party based on the following conditions:

• State Party Recognition: The party must be recognised as a state party in at least four states.
• Vote Share and Seats: 
  • The party should have obtained a minimum of 6% of the total valid votes in any four or more states during the previous Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, with at least four members of parliament in the last Lok Sabha polls. 
  • Alternatively, the party must have won at least 2% of the total Lok Sabha seats in at least three states.

Criteria for Recognition as a State Party:

To be recognised as a state party, a political party must meet one of the following requirements:

• Minimum Vote Share and Members: 
  • The party should have obtained at least 6% of the valid vote share in the last Assembly elections and have at least two members in the legislative assembly. 
  • Alternatively, the party should have secured at least a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha elections from the state, with at least one member of parliament.
• Minimum Seats: The party should have won a minimum of 3% of the total seats in the last Assembly elections, or at least three seats, whichever is higher.
• Proportional Representation: The party should have at least one member of parliament for every 25 members allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha, or any fraction thereof.
• Minimum Vote Share: The party should have obtained at least 8% of the total valid votes in the last Assembly election or Lok Sabha election from the state.

Advantages of Obtaining National Party Recognition:

Being recognised as a national party entails several benefits, including:

• Exclusive Election Symbols: National parties have reserved election symbols that their candidates across the country can use.
• Land Allotment: They can receive land in Delhi to establish a party office.
• Increased Star Campaigners: National parties are allowed up to 40-star campaigners, who play a crucial role in elections, compared to the 20 allowed for registered unrecognised parties. The expenditure on the campaign and travel of star campaigners is not added to the candidate’s spending limit.
• Broadcast/Telecast Facilities: They can access broadcast and telecast facilities on Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections.
• Filing nominations: The recognised national and state parties require only one proposer.

Current Status: 

• As of May 2023, there are 6 national parties, 54 state parties, and 2,597 unrecognised parties in India

• National Parties in India include:

• • AAP: Aam Aadmi Party
  • BSP: Bahujan Samaj Party
  • NPP: National People’s Party
  • BJP: Bharatiya Janata Party
  • CPI-M: Communist Party of India (Marxist)
  • INC: Indian National Congress

Sources: BJP, Congress squatting in Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone: What perks are recognised national, state parties entitled to 

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 23rd Sep 2023

Q1. With reference to political parties in India, consider the following statements: 

1. A political party can be recognised as a national party if it is recognised as a state party in at least three states.
2. To be recognised as a state party, a party should have at least one member of parliament for every 25 members allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha
3. A party can be recognised as a state party if it has secured at least a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha elections from the state, with at least one member of parliament.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only 

(d) None 

Check Answer

Q2. Consider the following:

1. National parties have reserved election symbols that their candidates across the country can use.
2. In the case of a registered unrecognised political party, the recognised national and state parties require only one proposer instead of a hundred electors.
3. The expenditure on the campaign and travel of star campaigners is also added to the candidate’s spending limit.

How many of the abovementioned statements are correct?

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) All three 

(d) None

Check Answer

Q3. Analyse the criteria used by the Election Commission to recognise parties as national or state parties. How does the national party tag affect the visibility and influence of a political party? 

Gaurav N