QUESTION BANK (2021-22)

CLASS X, SUBJECT: CIVICS

CHAPTER 6: POLITICAL PARTIES

Very short answer type questions (1Mark)

1. What do you understand by the term political party?
Ans Political party is a group of people coming together to contest elections and hold power in
the government. They agree on some policies and program for the society with a view to
promote the collective good.
2. Explain the following terms:
a) Partisan – A person who is strongly committed to a party group or functions.
b) Partisanship -- Partisanship is marked by a tendency to take a side and inability to take
a balanced view on an issue.
c) Ruling party -- political party that runs the government.
d) Coalition -- When no one single party gets a majority, then two or more parties come
together to form a government. For e.g. In Maharashtra Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP
together have formed a coalition government.
e) Alliance -- When several parties in a multiparty system join hands for the purpose of
contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front. For example:
there were three such major alliance in 2004 parliamentary elections: the National
Democratic Alliance, the United Progressive Alliance and the Left Front.
f) Defection -- Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected (to
a legislative body) to a different party.
g) Affidavit -- A signed document submitted to an officer, where a person makes a sworn
statement regarding his/her personal information.
3. What are the components of a political party?
a) The leaders- Those who take all the major decisions
b) The active members- Those who implement the decisions of the leaders, organise
rallies and follow up the activities of a political party.
c) The followers- They are the supporters of a political party.
4. How do parties run the government of a country?
                Ans. Parties recruit leaders, train them and make them ministers.
5. What is the role of opposition in a democracy?
              Ans. They voice different views and criticise the government for its failures or wrong politics.
6. How much accountable are the parties to the people of any country?
              Ans. Parties have to be responsive to people’s needs and demands. Otherwise people can reject 
those parties in the next election.
7. Which organisation does recognise political parties in India?
Ans. Election Commission
8. A political party is an association of-
a) People      c) children    c) Parties      d None of the above
              Ans. a) People
9. The clearly visible institutions of a democracy are:
 a) People    b) Society      c) Political Parties    d) Pressure groups
Ans. c) Political Parties
10. Without the political parties, the utility of the government will remain:
a) Uncertain    b) Powerful      c) Peaceful    d) None of the above
Ans. Uncertain
11. Parties are necessary condition for a:
a) Democracy    b) Authoritarian    c) Peaceful    d) None of the above
Ans. a) Democracy
12. In a democratic country, any group of citizens is free to form a _________
        Ans. Political Party
13. What is one party system?
Ans. A country where only one party is allowed to control and run the government. E.g. China
14. What is a bi-party system?
        Ans. A country where power usually changes between the two main parties. E.g. UK and USA
15. Which coalition alliance was formed by BJP?
        Ans. National Democratic Alliance coalition
16. Which classes are represented by BSP?
        Ans. It seeks to represent and secure power for the Bahujan Samaj which includes the dalits,       
adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.
17. Name any two regional parties of U.P.
        Ans. Samajwadi Party and Lok Dal
18. How do money and muscle power tend to help the contestant of the elections?
Ans. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the
policies and decisions of the party.
19. Name any one political party that has national level political organisation but not recognised as
the national political party.
Ans. Samajwadi Party/ Samta Party/ Rashtyiya Janata Dal
20. Why is one party political system not considered a good democratic system?
        Ans. One party system has no democratic option.
21. The name of the alliance that formed the government in 1998 in India was_________.
        Ans. National Democratic Alliance
22. When and under whose leadership was Bahujan Samajwadi party formed?
      Ans. 1984, Kanshi Ram

      Short answer type questions (3Marks)

1. How are the candidates nominated for contesting elections in USA and India?
(i) In USA, members and supporters of a party choose its candidates.
(ii) In India, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.

2. In what way do political parties play the role of opposition?

Ans      Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power, by
voicing different views and criticising government for its failures or wrong policies. Opposition parties
also mobilise opposition to the government.
 3. Explain the evolution of party system. On what factors does the evolution of party system
depends?
Ans Evolution of party system
(i) Party system is not something which any country can choose.
(ii) It evolves over a long time, depending on the nature of society, its social and regional
divisions, its history of politics and its system of elections.
(iii) These cannot be changed very quickly. Each country develops a party system
that is conditioned by its special circumstances.

4. Why have India evolved a multiparty system?

(i) India has evolved a multiparty system, because the social and geographical diversity in
such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties.
(ii) No system is ideal for all countries and all situations.

5. How a political party gets recognition?

(i) Every party in the country has to register with the election commission.
(ii) While the commission treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to large
and established parties.
(iii) These parties are given a unique symbol. Only the official candidates of that party can
use that election symbols.
(iv)Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are 'recognized' by the
election commission for this purpose.
(v) That is why, these parties are called recognized political parties.

6. Explain the criteria of election commission for a political party to be recognized as a national
party and regional party.

Ans Criteria of election commission for status of recognized party

                National party

(i) A party that secures at least 6% of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or assembly elections of
four states.
(ii) Wins at least four seats in Lok Sabha.
Regional party

(i) A party that secures at least 6% of total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of a
state.
(ii) Wins at least two seats.

            Long answer type questions (5 marks)

1. Explain the characteristics of political parties.
 (i) They promote for collective good.
(ii) They persuade people about their policies.
(iii) They implement these policies by winning popular support through elections.
(iv)They reflect fundamental, political division in a society.
(v) They involve partisanship.
2. State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy. /

Ans      Six functions of political parties are follows:

1. Contesting Elections: Political parties contest elections. A political party nominates its candidate
for the electoral contest in various constituencies.

2. Policies: Political parties put forward different policies and programmes so that the voters can
choose from them. A political party brings a large number of similar opinions under one umbrella.
These opinions are channelized to form policies and programmes. The policies and programmes of the
RULING PARTY are expected to be followed by the government.

3. Making Law: Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country. It is the
legislature which passes a law after proper debate. As most of the members belong to political parties,
so a political party has direct say in law making for the country.

4. Formation of Government: Political parties form and run governments. The executive body is
formed by people from the ruling party. Various political leaders are assigned different ministries to
carry out the task of governance.

5. Playing Opposition: Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties
in power, by voicing different views and criticising government for its failure or wrong policies.
Opposition parties also mobilise opposition to the government.

6. Shaping Public Opinion: Political parties shape public opinion. They do so by raising and
highlighting issues in the legislature and in the media. The activists of a political party are spread all
over the country. These activists raise public awareness for their party’s perspective.

7. Providing Access to Government Machinery: Political parties provide people access to

government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. For an ordinary citizen it is
easy to approach a local party leader than a government officer. Parties need to be responsive to
people’s needs and demands. This helps them in winning the election.

3. "Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties." examine the statement. / “Political
parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.” Analyse the statement with examples.

Ans If there were no political parties-

i. Every candidate in the elections will be independent.

ii. No one will be able to make any promise to the people about any major policy changes.
iii. The government may be formed but its utility will remain uncertain.
 iv. Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency for what they are doing the
locality.
v. No one will be responsible for how the country will run.
vi. Political parties are important for representative democracies as they bring representatives
together to form the government.

4.Explain the features of the three types of party system.

Ans There are three types of party system: single party system, bi-party system and the multiparty
system. Their features are as follows.

One party system

(i) One party runs the government.

(ii) This is not a democratic option.
(iii) There is lack of competition.
(iv)For example: Communist Party of China, Ghana, Taiwan.
Bi-party system

(i) Power usually changes between two major parties.

(ii) They provide a stable government.
(iii) Other parties may exist but are not very effective.
(iv)The United States of America with Democrat and Republican party and the UK with Labour
and Conservative parties are the examples of two party system.
Multiparty system

(i) More than two parties come to power to form the government.
(ii) Coalition government and alliance system are the specific features of multiparty system.
(iii) This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.
(iv)Electoral competition gives more option to the voters.
(v) But this system also leads to instability.
(vi)This system often appears very messy.
(vii) Example: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh

5. Differentiate between national and regional parties.

National party Regional party

Influence all over the country. They are limited to particular region or state.

They deal with national problems. Deal with demands of particular region.
National parties have units in various states Only strong regional parties have units in other
following same policies and strategies. states.

For example: BJP, INC, CPI(M), CPI, NCP, BSP Example: AAP, JDU, RJD, Samadwadi party,
Akali dal etc.

6. How can you say that the emergence of regional parties have contributed to the strengthening of
federalism and democracy in our country?

(i) Over the last three decades, the numbers and strength of regional political parties has expanded.
(ii) This made the parliament of India politically more and more diverse.
(iii) No one national party is able to secure on its own a majority in Lok Sabha.
(iv)As a result, the national parties are compelled to form alliance with state parties.
(v) Since 1996, nearly every one of the state parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or
the other national level coalition government.
(vi)This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.

7. Paste/draw symbols of the seven national parties and write about them.

Ans Indian National Congress (symbol: hand)

1. Indian National Congress (INC) popularly known as the Congress Party, one of the oldest parties of
the World founded in 1885 and has experienced many splits, played a dominant role in Indian politics
at the national and state level for several decades after independence.
2. Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern secular democratic
republic in India.
3. Its ideological orientation, the party espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and
minorities.
4. It supports new economic reforms but with a human face.

Bharatiya Janata Party (symbol: lotus)

1. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
2. It wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspirations from India's ancient culture and
values.
3. Cultural nationalism (or 'Hindutva') is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood
and politics.
4. Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India, a uniform civil
code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion, and ban on religious conversions.
5. Came to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance including several states
and regional parties.

Bahujan Samaj Party (symbol: elephant)

1. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.
2. Seeks to represent and secure power for the Bahujan Samaj which includes the Dalit, Adivasi, OBC
and religious minorities.
3. Draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar,
Ramaswami Naicker and Baba Sahib Ambedkar.
4. Stands for the cause of securing the interest and welfare of the Dalits and Oppressed people.

Communist Party of India - Marxist (Symbol: Hammer sickle and star)

1. Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M): founded in 1964.

2. It believes in Marxism Leninism.
3. Supports socialism, secularism and democracy and oppose imperialism and communalism.
4. Accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for securing the objective of socio-
economic justice in India.

Communist Party of India] (symbol: Ears of corn and sickle)

1. Communist Party of India (CPI): formed in 1925.

2. It believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy.
3. It oppose to the forces of secessionism and communalism.
4. Accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of promoting the interests of the working classes,
farmers and the poor.

Nationalist congress party (symbol: clock)

1. Nationalist congress party (NCP) was formed in 1999 following a split in the congress party.
2. Espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity social justice and federalism.
3. Wants that high offices in government be confined to natural born citizens of the country.

8.What are the various challenges faced by political parties?

Ans There are following challenges faced by a political party.
1. Lack of internal democracy:

I.There is a tendency in political parties towards the concentration of powers in one or few leaders at
the top.
II. Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings and do not conduct
internal elections regularly.
III. Ordinary member of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party.
IV. 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.
V. More than loyalty to party principles and policies, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more
important.
2. Dynastic succession:

I. Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning.
II. There are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.
III. In many parties, the top position are always controlled by members of one family.
IV. This is unfair to other members of that party.
V. This is also bad for democracy since people who do not have adequate experience or popular
support come to occupy position of power.
3. Money and muscle power

I. Parties are focused only on winning elections, they tend to use short-cuts to win elections.
II. They tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money.
III. Rich people and companies to give funds to the parties then to have influence on the policies and
decision of the party.
IV. In some cases parties support criminals who can win elections.
V. Democrats all over the world are worried about the increasing role of rich people and big companies
in democratic politics.
4. Absence of meaningful choice for the voters

I. In order to offer meaningful choice, parties must be significantly different.

II. In recent years, there has been a decline in the ideological differences among parties in most parts
of the World.
III. They agree on more fundamental aspects but differ only in details on how policies are to be framed
and implemented.
IV. In our country too, the differences among all the major parties on the economic policies have
reduced.
V. Those who want different policies have no option available to them.
VI. Same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another.

9.Explain the steps taken by different authorities to reform political parties and their leaders in India?

Ans The steps taken by different authorities to reform political parties and their leaders in India are as
follows

1. Anti defection law

I. The constitution was amended to prevent elected MLA's and MPs from changing parties.
II. This was done because many elected representatives were indulging in defection in order to become
ministers or for cash rewards.
III. Now the law says that if any MLA or MP. changes parties, he/she will lose the seat in the
legislature.
2. Filing an Affidavit

I. The supreme court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals.
II. It is mandatory for every candidate who contest elections to file an affidavit giving details of his/her
property, the criminal cases pending against him/her.
III. The new system has made a lot of information available to the public.
3. Mandatory organisational meetings.

I. The election commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their
organisational elections and file their income tax returns.

10.Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well.

Ans Some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well are as follows:

1. Regulating internal affairs -- A law should be made to regulate various internal affairs of political
parties .It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members, to
follow its own constitution, to have an independent authority, to act as a judge in case of party
disputes, to hold open elections to the highest posts.

2. Reservation for women -- It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum
number of tickets, about 1-3rd to women candidates. Similarly, there should be a quota for women in
the decision making bodies of the party.

3. State funding of elections -- There should be state funding of elections. The government should
give parties money to support their election expenses. This support could be given in kind: petrol,
paper, telephone or it could be given in cash on the basis of the votes secured by the party in the last
elections.

4. Pressure of public opinion -- political parties can be reformed. Public can put pressure on political
parties. This can be done through petitions, publicity and agitations. Ordinary citizens, pressure groups
and the movements and the media can play an important role in this.

5. People's participation -- political parties can improve if honest people join political parties. This
quality of democracy depends on the degree of public participation. It is difficult to reform politics if
ordinary citizens do not take part in it and simply criticise it from the outside.

11. Explain the merits and demerits of one party system.

Ans Merits

1. Elections are not expensive.

2. There is stability in the governmental system.
3. Decision making is faster.

Demerits
1. This is not a democratic option.
2. There is no scope for competition.
3. There is a possibility of cabinet dictatorship.

12. Explain merits and demerits of bi-party system.

Ans Merits

1. The government is stable.

2. The opposition is strong and affective.
3. The government is responsible for the people.

Demerits
1. This system does not give opportunities to other parties to come into power.
2. People have limited choice
3. Since, there is no coalition, there is also a possibility of cabinet dictatorship.

13.Explain the merits and demerits of multiparty system.

Ans. Merits

1. More parties get opportunities to share power.

2. This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.
3. Since coalition is a major feature of this system, smaller parties also get equal opportunities.

Demerits
1. Elections are very expensive.
2. Messy and Chaotic
3. Government is not stable.
4. Decision making is very slow.