Model Question and Answers for APSC | . The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.”Discuss

Ans: The Indian party system paints a picture of partial success, serious flaws, and enormous challenges more than six decades after Independence.

The following list of contradictions and paradoxes best describes the current stage of transition:

1. Rise of personality cult: Votes are sought in the name of a party's leader rather than the party's principles or important issues. Eg. The "Modi Wave" swept the final general elections of 2014.
2. Dynastic Politics: the hegemony of the founding families of each party has ensured that power stays within the family. E.g: Gandhi's family in the Congress dynastic politics are becoming more influential.
3. Decline in ideological orientation: Political party dynamics in India have led to the emergence of valueless politics, with caste, religion, money, and muscle power playing significant roles. Political party ideologies have suffered a sharp erosion.
4. increase in the influence of regional parties: such as The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena contesting elections in other states. Ethnicity-based parties are also going down the same route. This resulted in the nationalization of regional issues.
5. Multi-Party System: A multitude of parties has increased diversity and representation. However, it has also increased fragmentation, horse-trading of support in the assemblies, and confusion among the people.
6. All political parties frequently mention black money in their campaign rhetoric, but none of them takes action to change election financing, which is a significant source of black money.

To ensure that people make the best decisions possible, it is essential to bring all parties under the purview of RTI, promote intra-party democracy by establishing rules for it, and inform the populace about the benefits and drawbacks of the party system. The criminalization of politics and elections must be addressed as soon as possible, and India's politics must return to serving the interests of the people rather than those of party leaders or business executives.