Political Parties in India :part 2

Party System in India
The Indian party system has evolved from a one-party dominant system to a multi-party coalition system, reflecting the country’s diversity and political dynamics.

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1. One-Party Dominant System (Congress System)
Time Period: 1947–1967
Concept: Described by Rajni Kothari as the “Congress System.”
Features:
Dominance of Indian National Congress (INC) at national and state levels.
Lack of effective opposition.
Congress accommodated diverse regional and ideological interests.
Factors of Dominance:
Sole inheritor of the freedom struggle legacy.
Popular leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru.
Strong organizational network and mass appeal.
Decline:
Death of Nehru (1964) and Congress split weakened the party.
Rise of other parties: CPI, socialist parties, Jan Sangh, Dravidar Kazhagam.
By 1967, Congress lost control in 8 states, ending its dominance.

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2. Multi-Party System
Time Period: 1967 onwards
Causes:
Social, cultural, and economic diversity of India.
Rise of regional leaders and parties.
Assertion of backward classes and farming communities, influenced by Mandal Commission and state-level reservations.
Features:
Multiple parties contesting elections at national and state levels.
Regional parties represent local and community interests.
National dominance of Congress challenged by BJP since the 1990s.
Examples of Regional Dominance:
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir.

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3. Bi-nodal Party System (Coalition Era)
Time Period: 1990s onwards
Concept: A coalition government dominated by either Congress or BJP, supported by regional parties.
Features:
Power shared between two major national parties with regional allies.
Reflects the need for stable governance in a fragmented polity.
Key Coalitions:
National Democratic Alliance (NDA): Formed in 1998, led by BJP.
United Progressive Alliance (UPA): Formed in 2004, led by Congress; remained stable till 2014.