political parties Flashcards
Indian National Congress (INC):
a. Formed in 1885 – oldest party - popularly known as the Congress Party
b. Sought to build a modern secular democratic republic in India under the leadership of
Jawaharlal Nehru
c. Played a dominant role in Indian politics at the national and state level for several decades
after India’s Independence
d. A Centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideology, Espouses secularism
and works for the welfare of weaker sections and minorities
e. Supports new economic reforms but with a human face, leader of the United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2019
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
a. Founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh
b. Goal- to build strong and modern India and promote cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva)
c. Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India and
demands uniform civil code
d. Party came to power in 1998 and remained in power till 2004 (NDA) including several
regional parties
e. Emerged as the largest party with 303 members in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Currently leads the ruling NDA government at the Centre
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
a. Formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram
b. Seeks to represent and secure power and welfare for the Bahujan Samaj which includes
the dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities
c. Inspired by teachings of Mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and
B.R Ambedkar
d. Has its main base in Uttar Pradesh and substantial presence in neighbouring states
e. Formed government in Uttar Pradesh several times by taking the support of different
parties at different times.
Communist Party of India (CPI):
a. Formed in 1925
b. Believes in secularism and democracy (Marxism-Leninism) and opposes secessionism
and communalism
c. Seeks to promote the interests of the working class, farmers, and the poor
d. Support base had gradually declined after the split in the party in 1964
e. Significant presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and
Tamil Nadu, Advocates the coming together of all left parties to build a strong left front
Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M):
a. Founded in 1964
b. Believes in socialism, secularism, and democracy (Marxism – Leninism) and opposes
imperialism and communalism
c. Seeks to secure the objective of socio-economic justice especially for the poor, factory
workers, farmers, agricultural labourers, and the intelligentsia
d. Was in power in West Bengal without a break for 34 years and enjoys strong support in
West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura
e. Critical of the new economic policies that allow free flow of foreign capital and goods into
the country
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP):
a. Formed in 1999 following a split in the Congress party
b. Espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice, and federalism
c. Wants high office in government to be confined to natural born citizens of the country
d. Major party in Maharashtra and has a significant presence in Meghalaya, Manipur, and
Assam
e. A coalition partner in the state of Maharashtra in alliance with the Congress. Since 2004,
a member of the United Progressive Alliance
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC):
a. Formed in 1998 under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee
b. Recognised as a National party in 2016 with flowers and grass as the party’s symbol
c. Committed to secularism and federalism
d. Has been in power in West Bengal since 2011 and has a presence in Arunachal
Pradesh, Manipur, and Tripura
e. In the General Elections held in 2019, was the fourth largest party in the Lok Sabha.
