Very Short Question and Answers - Functions of Political Parties

The main functions are: contesting elections, formulating policies and programmes (manifestos), making laws, forming and running governments, playing the role of Opposition, shaping public opinion, and providing access to government machinery and welfare schemes.

Contesting elections means parties field candidates in constituencies and campaign to win seats. Example (India): BJP contested widely in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Example (World): Conservative and Labour parties contest parliamentary seats in the UK.

A manifesto is a document stating a party’s policies and programmes. It helps voters compare promises on issues like jobs, education, and health, enabling informed choices.

Examples: The BJP’s 2019 manifesto included abrogation of Article 370 and expansion of health insurance; the Aam Aadmi Party focused on free electricity/water and improving government schools in Delhi.

Parties propose, debate, and vote on bills in the legislature, usually following party policy. Example: The GST Act was introduced and passed in Parliament with support from the ruling party and allies.

The party or coalition with majority support in the legislature forms the government. Its leaders become the Prime Minister/Chief Minister and Ministers, implementing the party’s agenda.

India: The BJP formed the Union government after the 2014 and 2019 elections under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Other country: The Liberal Party formed the government in Canada under Justin Trudeau.

The Opposition questions the government, highlights shortcomings, raises public issues, scrutinizes bills and policies, and presents alternative policies.

It ensures checks and balances, prevents misuse of power, improves transparency, and makes the government more accountable to the people.

They shape opinion through rallies, public speeches, and media campaigns, including print, TV, and social media outreach.

Shaping public opinion.

Making laws.

Party workers and local representatives help citizens apply for and receive benefits. Example: Assisting with applications for schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, ration cards, or scholarships.

India: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC). Other countries: Republican and Democratic Parties (USA), Conservative and Labour Parties (UK).

A coalition government is formed when no single party wins a majority; two or more parties join together to secure majority support in the legislature.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government, and Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister both times.

In the United States, the Republican Party supported major tax reforms passed by the US Congress.

Local party workers convey citizens’ problems to officials and help them access services and schemes, ensuring government benefits reach intended beneficiaries.

They mobilize people to vote and engage, present competing choices, and through the Opposition’s scrutiny, hold the ruling party accountable.

Policy formulation involves designing promises and programmes (manifestos) before elections; law-making is the legislative process of debating and passing bills to implement those policies after elections.