Historically all over the world, political parties have played a foremost transformative role in the life of modern nation States. Barring a few countries, almost all countries of the world have party driven democracies. In some countries, it is single party or bi-party but largely, multiparty system is in growing practice for more inclusive democracies. There are monarchies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar and single party rule in countries such as China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cuba, existing for a long time.
Also there are countries with two- party system such as USA and UK and many slowly shifting to multiparty system such as in India, Germany, France, Norway and Sweden. Even these days, rainbow coalition Governments are coming up in many countries as a best suited political system in diversity. “If there had been no Communist Party, there would not have been a new China.
The whole credit of success of China, as an emerging economic power, goes to the Chinese communist party that is celebrating 100 years of its successful existence. Similarly, the Communist Party of Soviet Union had played a unique role in building modern Russia. The history of political parties goes back to end of 18th century in USA and UK where even now the oldest parties such as Conservative party in UK and Democratic party in USA are still continuing playing a major role in the socio-economic and political life of their countries in spite of arrival of new parties.
The makers of modern India used political parties as a viable means to mobilise people for larger socio-economic transformation of a backward and under developed society to a democratic one with ideas of democracy, liberty, equality and progress.
The centuries old feudalism, colonialism and exploitation based on class/caste came to an end with modern political ideas of dignity and self-rule. India traversed the path of Green Revolution, IT revolution and many other transformative phases while aspiring to be one of the world leaders. All these became possible under different political leadership to steer the nation.
The western modern political thoughts paved the way for freedom struggle and emergence of Congress party as oldest (1885) and later Communist Party of India and many others political outfits such as Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Scheduled Caste Federation, Socialist Party, Jharkhand Party ,Indian Union Muslim League in India.
These parties had played a major role starting from freedom struggle, formation of Constituent Assembly, drafting the Constitution to taking a lead in establishing constitutional governance for building a united modern India. India, during last seventy years of its existence as a party based democracy witnessed emergence of new political parties based on ideologies like liberal, socialist ,communist, Left extremism, right wing nationalist, conservative and fascist. They all have differently contributed in many ways to strengthen our democracy and responded to the aspiration of the diverse masses looking for progressive transformation.
The current trend shows growth of regional parties and individual charisma with less ideology and collectivism along with increasing importance of election managers, data forecasters, use of money power and image building by media.
Barring a few, majority of parties are largely dominated by family members and hereditary successors of second and third generations. Sometimes individuals are being projected as larger than party and ideology. There have been allegations about lack of inner-party democracy, social inclusion, holding of regular elections to elect party office bearers and transparency in party fund management and most importantly lack of ideological drive among parties.
Many parties in India are now moving for permanent establishments such as well setup office building, corpus fund, operational amenities and long term social security plan for party carders. The party chief is called as supremo while the party appears to be functioning as private limited companies.
The change of political contribution laws has encouraged corporates to set up election funding trusts which have ensured regular institutional supports to parties to fight elections, leave apart other source of donations. The Election Commission has increased the permissible limit of expenses of candidates during elections to make the expenses legitimate. Regional parties in India were also formed during British rule in early 20th century.
Shiromani Akali Dal and J&K National Conference appeared as oldest regional political parties. Later the prominent parties such as DMK in TN and others have been continuing as most stable players in political systems of their States while influencing national politics.
The most successful regional party in recent time is BJD which has been successfully continuing without any break. The post independent Odisha since 1950 witnessed regional political outfits such as SwatantraDal of RN Singh Deo which was the party of the kings and Zamindars.
It has been observed that since then the ruling political parties in Odisha continue to be dominated by sons and daughters of former CMs, Ministers, land lords, kings and Zamindars of erstwhile 26 feudatory States, owners of mining, industrial and media houses and others having money and social power. The socially inclusive character of parties has been missing with continued domination of upper caste/class people of Odisha over a vast majority of its population belonging to historically marginalised sections.
With increasing role of political parties in modern democratic governance the expectation of people over parties is also increasing. There will be more regional parties in the coming days with more challenges to face the changing political conditions, but all we need is a qualitative change in political parties for a vibrant and more inclusive democracy.
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