MP Board · Class 10 · Social Science · Civics: Political PartiesSuggest and explain various reforms that can be undertaken to strengthen political parties so that they perform their functions well in a democracy.

Introduction\nSince political parties are the most crucial instruments of democracy, there has been a persistent demand for reforming them. In India, both constitutional measures and voluntary suggestions have been proposed to overcome the various malpractices and structural weaknesses plaguing political parties.

Key Reforms to Strengthen Political Parties

1. Anti-Defection Law:

   • Explanation: The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties. This was done because many elected representatives were indulging in defection in order to become ministers or for cash rewards. Now, if any MLA or MP changes parties, they will lose their seat in the legislature. This law has helped bring down defection, but it has also made party leadership supreme and silenced internal dissent.

2. Affidavit of Property and Criminal Cases:

   • Explanation: The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals. Now, it is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him. The system has made a lot of information available to the public, though there is no check on whether the information given is true or false.

3. Mandatory Organizational Elections:

   • Explanation: The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organizational elections and file their income tax returns. Parties have started doing so, sometimes formally, but it has helped in bringing some degree of regulation and transparency to the internal working of political parties.

4. State Funding of Elections:

   • Explanation: There is a persistent demand that the government should give parties money to support their election expenses. This financial support could be given in kind (such as petrol, paper, telephone) or in cash based on the votes secured by the party in the previous election. This can reduce the dependence of political parties on wealthy donors and corporate houses, thereby curbing corruption.

5. Internal Democratic Reforms within Parties:

   • Explanation: A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. It should be made compulsory for parties to maintain a register of their members, follow their own constitution, hold independent authority to judge internal disputes, and give a minimum quota of tickets (at least one-third) to women candidates.

Conclusion\nReforming political parties is a complex task. While laws can check certain wrong practices, excessive legal regulation can also be counterproductive. Ultimately, political parties will only change if citizens, pressure groups, and movements exert active pressure and participate in the democratic process.