GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Pressure Groups and Formal/Informal Associations and their Role in the Polity
Source: IE
Context: The Election Commission of India (ECI) recognised the AAP as a national party while revoking the status of the All-India Trinamool Congress, NCP and the CPI.
Other decisions taken by ECI:
- Revoked the state party status granted to RLD in UP, while recognising NCP and Trinamool Congress as state parties in Nagaland and Meghalaya respectively.
- Granted “recognised state political party” status to the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in Nagaland, etc.
| National parties in India | State parties |
| Criteria: As per the ECI’s Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order 1968 [amended from time to time], a political party would be considered a national party if it fulfils any one of the below conditions:
● It is ‘recognised’ in four or more states as a state party [AAP fulfils this criterion]; or ● Its candidates polled at least 6% of total valid votes in any four or more states in the last Lok Sabha or Assembly elections and has at least four MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls; or ● It has won at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than three states.
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To be recognised as a state party, a party need:
● At least 6% vote-share in the last Assembly election and have at least 2 MLAs; or ● Have a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha elections from that state and at least one MP from that state; or ● At least 3% of the total number of seats or three seats, whichever is more, in the last Assembly elections; or ● At least one MP for every 25 members or any fraction allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha; or ● Have at least 8% of the total valid votes in the last Assembly election or Lok Sabha election from the state. |
| Benefits: If a party is recognised as a National Party/State Party, they can avail following benefits under the RPA 1951,
● It is entitled to exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates throughout India (for the national party) in the State in which it is so recognised (for the state party). ● Need only one proposer for filing the nomination and are also entitled to two sets of electoral rolls free of cost at the time of revision of rolls. ● Their candidates get one copy of the electoral roll free of cost during the General Elections. ● They get broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections. ● A recognized National or State party can have a maximum of 40 “Star campaigners” [registered unrecognised party – 20]. |
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| Parties recognised: BJP, Congress, CPI(M), BSP, National People’s Party (NPP) and the AAP | Examples: DMK in Tamil Nadu, BJD in Odisha, YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh, RJD in Bihar, or TRS in Telangana |
Insta Links:
RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PARTIES
Prelims Links: (UPSC 2017)
Consider the following statements:
- The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
- The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
- Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
Ans: 4
