CBSE Class 10 Social Science Political Science Revision Notes Chapter 6

Class 10 Social Science Democratic Politics – II Chapter 6 Notes

CBSE Class 10 Social Science Democratic Politics – II Chapter 6 Notes – Political Parties

The nature and operation of political parties, particularly in nations like India, are discussed in Class 10 Political Science Chapter 6 Notes. Those who form a political party usually do so to run for office and control the government. Political Parties play a role in our society and as such, “Partisanship” is involved. The political parties are recognised by the ideologies they uphold, the policies they back, and the people whose interests they represent. Political parties are needed to carry out a variety of duties. They play a significant role in contemporary democracies. It is crucial to have political parties in various nations because they may work together across borders, mobilise people, and coordinate with politicians. 

Class 10 Social Science Democratic Politics – II Chapter 6 Political Parties Notes

Access Class 10 Social Science Democratic Politics – II Chapter 6 Political Parties

What Do You Mean by a Political Party?

A political party is a collection of individuals who join together to run for office and control the government. To further the common good, they reach an agreement on a number of social policies and programmes. The basic political differences in a society are reflected in parties. As a result, a party can be identified by the ideologies, programmes, and interests it supports. Three elements make up a political party:

1. Leaders
2. Active members
3. Followers

Need for Political Parties

Political parties are essential because they carry out different tasks essential for the smooth functioning of the country. Political parties also assist in expressing various viewpoints on a range of subjects to the government. In order to build a responsible government, they bring together numerous representatives. They serve as a tool for the creation of policies, their defence or opposition, and support or restraint of the administration. Every representative government’s needs are met by political parties. 

Functions of Political Parties

Political parties occupy positions of power and use that authority. Parties accomplish this by carrying out the various tasks listed below:

• Elections are run by parties.
• Voters are presented with a variety of policies and programmes from several parties.
• A nation’s laws are largely created by its political parties.
• Governments are founded and run by parties.
• Parties that lose elections form the opposition party. They express other points of view and keep the ruling government in check for its shortcomings or bad policies.
• Public opinion is shaped by parties.
• People can access government resources through parties, including social programmes run by governments. 

Regional Political Parties in India with Their Symbols and Leaders: will be updated soon

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)

• The party was formed under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee on January 1, 1998.
• It was formally recognised in 2016 as a national party.
• The party’s emblem consists of grass and flowers.
• The party is dedicated to federalism and secularism.
• It is widely recognised in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Tripura and has been in power in West Bengal since 2011.
• It received 3.84% of the vote and garnered 34 seats in the 2014 general elections, making it the fourth-largest party in the Lok Sabha.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

• Kanshi Ram founded the party in 1984.
• The main aim of the party is to defend and protect the interests of the Bahujan Samaj, which is made up of religious minorities, Dalits, and Adivasis.
• It supports the cause of protecting the rights and well-being of oppressed groups like the Dalits.
• It has a significant presence in neighbouring states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Punjab in addition to its core stronghold in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
• It has formed the UP government multiple times with the help of various parties.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

• Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee served as the organisation’s first President when Bhartiya Jana Sangh was founded on October 21st, 1951, at Raghumal Girls High School in Delhi. However, after a number of its members resigned from the Janata Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party was founded on April 6, 1980, with Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee serving as its first president.
• Aims to create a strong and modern India by taking cues from Deendayal Upadhyaya’s holistic humanism and Antyodaya theories, as well as India’s historic culture and traditions.
• A crucial component of its idea of Indian nationhood and politics is cultural nationalism, sometimes known as “Hindutva.”
• The party increased its popularity in the south, east, north-east, and rural areas after initially being restricted to the north and west and to urban areas.
• Grew to become the largest party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with 282 members.

Communist Party of India (CPI)

• Developed in 1925. believes in democracy, secularism, and Marxism-Leninism.
• Opposition to the forces of communalism and secessionism.
• Accepts the use of parliamentary democracy to advance the interests of the working class, farmers, and the underprivileged.
• It is prominent in Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it received less than 1% of the vote and only one seat.

Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI – M)

• Founded in 1964, the party adopts a Marxist-Leninist worldview. 
• The party opposes communism and imperialism and is in favour of socialism, secularism, and democracy.
• It accepts the idea that democratic elections are a good and effective way to achieve India’s goal of socioeconomic fairness.
• It receives tremendous support from the people of West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.
• For 34 years, the party remained in power in West Bengal without interruption.
• It received roughly 3% of the vote and 9 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Indian National Congress (INC)

• Commonly referred to as the Congress Party, it is one of the world’s oldest gatherings. It was founded in 1885 and has undergone numerous divisions.
• The party, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, aimed to create a contemporary, secular, democratic republic in India.
• From 1980 to 1989, the centre’s ruling party was in power. Despite a fall in popularity after 1989, it is still widespread across the nation.
• The primary goals of the party are to advance secularism and the welfare of minorities and disadvantaged groups.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

• NCP was formed in 1999 as a result of a Congress party split.
• The party supports federalism, equity, Gandhian secularism, and democracy.
• It is an important party in Meghalaya, Manipur, and Assam, as well as in Maharashtra.
• It is a member of the Congress’s coalition in the state of Maharashtra. 
• It has been a member of the United Progressive Alliance since 2004.

Did You Know?

In India, there are many difficulties that political parties must overcome. These are the difficulties:

• The degree of internal democracy within the parties is insufficient. Internal elections are not conducted on a regular basis, and neither are organisational meetings or membership registers.
• Political party operations aren’t always transparent and open. An average worker cannot obtain the highest degree of office for this purpose. Most frequently, members of one single family hold the top office in a certain political party. 
• One of the biggest problems political parties face is the enduring influence of money and force.
• People sometimes find it quite challenging to vote for only one political party because of several problems such as agreeing with the viewpoints of two different parties or disagreeing with some of the viewpoints of a party.