NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Political Science Chapter 6 Political Parties

Chapter 6 Political Parties Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Discuss the impacts of regional political parties in India.

Answer:

The Positive Impact Of Regional Political Parties Is Reflected In The Following:

1. It has extended the scope of decentralisation of powers or power sharing.
2. These parties are more in touch with regional ground realities.
3. These parties have created public awareness towards politics and partisanship.
4. These parties have made the electoral process more competitive.

The Negative Impact Of Regional Political Parties Is Reflected In The Following:

1. Regional political parties are bound to affect the unity and integrity of a nation.
2. Many of the regional political parties do not hesitate to encourage violence or
   pursue violent means and methods to achieve their goals.
3. Abundant use of money and muscle power can be witnessed in regional politics.

Question 2. Write a brief history and ideology Communist Party of India (CPI).
Or
When was CPIformed? Mention the ideologies of that party.

Answer:

CPI was formed in 1925 and believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy. It opposed the forces of secessionism and communalism.

• Accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of promoting the interests of the working class, farmers and poor.
• Became weak after the split in the party in 1964 which led to the formation of the CPI(M).
• It has a significant presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Its support base had gradually declined over the years. It secured about 14% of votes and seats in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
• It advocates the coining together of all left parties to build a strong left front. Currently supports UPA government from outside.

Question 3. Political parties are visible institutions in a democracy. Explain the statement.

Answer:

1. For an ordinary citizen, democracy is equal to political parties.
2. Many people may not know about the nature of our government or about our constitution. But they may know about political parties.
3. Some educated people blame political parties for all that is wrong with our political life or democratic system.
4. Some parties have been identified with social and political divisions.
5. Some parties identify themselves with a political party to express their
   ideas.
6. Some people believe that a political party is a platform to serve the nation.

Question 4. State description of the programme and policy of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Answer:

Programmes and policies. According to the election manifesto four policies and programmes of the Bhartiya Janta Party are as follows:

• It has declared its belief in positive secularism aimed at Sarva Dharma Sama
  Bhava.
• It will make freedom of the press, an explicit fundamental right and not just an
  implied one.
• It promised to introduce compulsory voting as well as the state funding of
  elections.
• The All India Radio and Doordarshan will be fully autonomous bodies. Bharatiya Janta Party wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values.
• Cultural nationalism (or Hindutva) is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood and politics as it wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India and a uniform civil code across the country irrespective of religion, caste and creed. It is in staunch opposition to religious conversions.

Question 5. Why do we need political parties in modern democracies?

Answer:

A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. They agree on some policies and programmes for society with a view to promoting the collective good.

• Political parties are one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.
• We need political parties to contest elections to put forward different policies and programmes to play a decisive role in making laws that act as a watchdog on the functions of the government. Imagine a situation, that would happen if there had been no political parties.
• Every candidate would contest the elections independently. There would be no value-based or ideology-based organised group to make the important decisions concerning the whole country.
• Decisions would be made according to the whims of one person only. The government would not be steady. The election process would be very complicated as there would be many candidates in the election fray.
• Political parties have their own ideologies, policies and programmes for the nation and the society. They have a vision before them. They discuss the various issues facing the country and deliberate deeply on policies they would implement if voted to power.
• Political parties inform the people about the workings of the party in power. They criticise the wrong and anti-people policies of the government, highlight the failure of the ruling party and suggest remedies for the welfare of the masses.
• Political parties reach the common man. They act as a link between the government and the people. They put forth the demands of the people to the government. They also keep abreast the people of the activities and programmes of the government and their impact on the masses.

Question 6. Distinguish between a national and a state party.
Or
What is the difference between National level and State level political parties? Also, give examples.

Answer:

National Party:

1. A party that secures at least 6% of total votes in Lok Shabha elections.
2. A party that wins at least four seats in the assembly elections (Lok Sabha), Example., Congress, BJP, BSP, CPI and CPI (M)

State Party:

1. A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of the state.
2. A party that wins at least two seats in the concerned state, Example.,
   • Punjab- Shiromani Akali Dal
   • Andhra Pradesh- Telugu Desam Party
   • Nagaland- Nagaland People Front

Question 7. Political parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society. Explain how?

Answer:

1. The main aim of a political party is to contest elections and capture power.
2. They make policies and programmes for society with a view to promoting the
   collective good.
3. They try to impress the people through their policies in what way they are
   better than others.
4. Always a competition exists between the political parties for capturing power.
5. Some parties criticise the others through debate, conducting rallies, etc.
6. Sometimes they also indulge in conflicts.

Question 8. Why is one party system not good for democracy? 
Or
“One party system is not good for democracy ” Explain.

Answer:

In the uni-party system, there is only one party in the political system. People are not allowed to criticise the government and form their own new parties. Voters do not have any option at the time of election. They can either say yes or not vote at all for the party.

However, this system is against democracy which allows everybody to express his opinion. The uni-party system is like a dictatorship where people have to follow all the policies of the government.

People do not enjoy full rights and freedom. They are not allowed the freedom of thought and expression and the freedom to criticise government policies.

Question 9. What do you mean by the lack ofinternal democracy in the political system?

Answer:

• Lack ofinternal democracy is one ofthe big challenges within political parties. All through the world there is a tendency in political parties towards the concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.
• Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly.
• They do not have the means or the connections needed to influence the decisions. As a result, the leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party.
• Since one or few leaders exercise paramount power in the party, those who disagree with the leadership find it difficult to continue in the party.
• More than loyal to party principles and policies, personal loyality to the leaders becomes more important.

Question 10. What do you mean by an alliance or a front? Explain with reference to a political
system.

Answer:

1. In a multi-party system, many political parties contest the election. They join together for the purpose of contesting elections as an alliance or a front.
2. For example, in 2004 Lok Sabha election there were three major alliances.
   • The National Democratic Alliance.
   • The United Progressive Alliance
   • The Left Front.

Question 11. When and by whom was the BahujanSamajParty formed1? Mention the major policies and programmes.

Answer:

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed in 1984 by Kanshi Ram.

Policies:

1. It wants to represent and secure power for the Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.
2. It mainly works for the interest and welfare of the dalits, and oppressed people.