Qn 14. Party system in India is neither western nor indigenous. Explain. (2014/II/Q.1a/10m)
Party system refers to the set of all the significant parties in a country, their interactions and the electoral system and voter loyalties that produce it. Party system in India has evolved as a hybrid, with neither purely Indian characteristics, nor western.
Party system in India, being neither western nor indigenous, can be studied by comparing its features:
- One party dominance: Although Indian polity accommodates a multi-party system, often a single party has dominated. This seems counter to the plural character of India. Also, it is different from the two-party systems of Britain and USA, and the multi-party model in most of western Europe (e.g. in France, Italy etc). In India, the Congress, which was a nationalist movement pre-independence, emerged post-independence as a dominant political party. Morris Jones described the Indian party system as a ‘one party dominance’ system. Rajni Kothari called it the ‘Congress System’. Recently BJP has dominated.
- Multi-party system: With the disintegration of the Congress system, the Indian party system blossomed into multiple parties. By 2016, India has recognised 7 national parties (Congress, BJP, BSP, CPI, CPI-M, NCP and All India Trinamool Congress) and 49 state parties. Many others await recognition and function under the radar. The west does not witness such multiplicity.
- Emergence of regional politics: In India, major pan-India parties have been losing strength and influence, which was gained by regional parties. These parties articulate and seek to defend a regionally-based ethnic or religious-cultural identity. Thus, rose DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu; the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab; Asom Gana Parishad in Assam; National Conference in Jammu & Kashmir; and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.
- Lack of strong opposition: India lacks a strongly-oriented, well-organised opposition party – which is essential for the success of parliamentary democracy. The opposition is meant to compel the government to improve by highlighting its flaws. Opposition in India is more interested in delegitimising the ruling party.
- Personality cult: Indian party system flourishes under charismatic leaders. When a party ceases to have such a personality, it starts declining. e.g. J. Nehru and Indira Gandhi for Congress; S. P. Mukherjee for Jan Sangh; R. M. Lohia for socialist forces; C. Rajagopalachari for Swatantra Party; A. B. Vajpayee and N. D. Modi for BJP etc.
- The use of extra- constitutional means to power: Political parties frequently try to exploit political or social dissatisfaction. Instead of focusing on electioneering and campaigning, they deviate towards such extra-constitutional means as civil disobedience, mass demonstrations, strikes, protest rallies and even violence to negatively affect the party in power.
- Lack of ideological commitment: Parties in India generally become ‘catch-all’ and issue-oriented, lacking disciplined commitment to any ideology. e.g. National Front Government at the centre was issue-oriented and gained support from the extreme left (CPI (M)) to the extreme right (BJP). Since 1971, elections have been steered by issue-politics.
- Factionalism: Factional leaders compete with each other and build patron-client relations with various groups. Such alliances being non-ideological and dynamic, keep the parties in a state of flux.
- Communalism and Casteism: India with its unique religious plurality and various social stratifications, often witnesses communal and caste- based factors influence politics.
Indian party system has evolved to suit contexts post-independence. In contemporary times, developing India stands as a mix of diversities and complexities. Its party system remained neither a blind replication of the west nor purely indigenous in character.