Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao of Telangana (TRS) is going to enter national politics on the eve of this Dussehra, by launching a national political party. His Regional Political Party- Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) will be going National most probably as Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
In this column of Avaaz24, we shall discuss what a National Party is and what it needs to get recognized.
Firstly, what is a Political Party?
An organized group of individuals who share same political views is a Political Party. They try to gain political power through constitutional means. They desire to work for promoting national interest.
When a Political Party is called Regional or National?
A Regional Political Party operates within one state. When the party’s electoral base extends to more than one state it becomes a National Political Party.
Who recognizes a Political Party?
Election Commission of India registers political parties for the purpose of elections and grants them recognition as national or state parties on the basis of their poll performance.
What are the types of Political Parties?
Political Parties are divided as two: Recognized Political Party and Registered-unrecognized Political Party on the basis of Election Commission’s recognition.
Are all nationally operating Political Parties recognized?
No. Not every party which is operating in multiple states is recognized. Election Commission has set a few conditions for a political party to become a Recognized National Political Party. Or else it is considered Registered-unrecognized Political Party.
For example, All India Majilis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) party recognized State Party in Telangana, won Legislative Assembly seats in Maharashtra and Bihar as a Registered-unrecognized National Party.
What are the conditions for recognition as a National Political Party?
A Political Party should fulfill any of the following conditions, to become a Recognized National Party:
1) If it secures 6% of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the Legislative Assembly and in addition wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.
2) If it wins 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election and these candidates are elected from three states.
3) If it is a recognized state party in four states.
What are the Recognized National Political Parties of India?
As of today, India has 8 Recognized National Political Parties. Those are as follows:
1) Indian National Congress (INC)
2) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
3) Communist Party of India (CPI)
4) Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M)
5) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
6) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 2013
7) All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) in 2016
8) National People’s Party (NPP) in 2019
Can any Recognized National Party lose its recognition?
Yes. Election Commission has a law, as per which it reviews the National and State Status of political parties in every ten years. Thus, a recognized party may loose its recognition it it fails the conditions of Election Commission.
What are the advantages of a Recognized National Political Party?
• Recognized Party has an exclusively allotted symbol. It is reserved only for them throughout the country. (Registered-unrecognized party can select a symbol from a list of free symbols)
• Recognized parties need only one proposer for filing the nomination.
• These parties can have forty star campaigners during the time of elections. (Registered-unrecognized parties can have only twenty star campaigners)
• Election Commission gives 2 sets of Electoral rolls for free to the Recognized Parties
• Additionally, they get time slot on the national and state television and Radio to address the people and convey their messages.
Finally, is Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) a recognized National Party?
No. TRS is a Recognized State Party in Telangana. Whereas, BRS will be a Registered-unrecognized party until it fits into the conditions of Election Commission.
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