Please see Political Parties Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes provided below. These revision notes have been prepared as per the latest syllabus and books for Class 10 Social Science issues by CBSE, NCERT, and KVS. Students should revise these notes for Chapter 6 Political Parties daily and also prior to examinations for understanding all topics and to get better marks in exams. We have provided Class 10 Social Science Notes for all chapters on our website.
Chapter 6 Political Parties Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes
A Political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
A Political party has three components
1) The Leaders
2) The Active citizens
3) The Followers
FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
1) Parties contest elections
2) Voters choose from different policies and programs put forward by parties.
3) Parties play a decisive role in making laws.
4) Parties form and run government.
5) Parties that loose elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power.
6) Parties shape public opinion.
7) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by government.
➢ SITUATION WITHOUT POLITICAL PARTIES
- No one will be responsible for how the country will be run.
- The government will be formed but its utility will remain uncertain.
HOW MANY PARTIES SHOULD WE HAVE?
It will depend upon the social and geographical diversity of a country.
For e.g.:- India has a multiparty system in which more than 750 parties are registered with the election commission.
ONE PARTY SYSTEM is a system in which only one party is allowed to control and run the government
e.g.:- China
TWO PARTY SYSTEM is a system in which two parties compete to run the government.
e.g.:- USA, UK
MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM is a system in which various parties come together for running the government in a coalition.
e.g.:- India
NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES
There are country-wide parties called national parties. Every party in the country has to register with the election commission- called registered political parties.
A party which secure at least 6% of the total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of a state and win at least 2 seats is recognized as a State party and a party which secure at least 6% of the total votes in Lok sabha elections or Assembly election in four states and wins at least 4 seats in the lok sabha is recognized as a National party.
There are 8 national recognized parties in the country in 2020. They are
1. Indian National Congress(INC)
2. Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)
3. Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP)
4. Communist Party of India(CPI)
5. Communist Party of India- Marxist(CPI-M)
6. National Congress Party(NCP)
7. All India Trinamool Congress(AITC)
8. National people’s party(NPP)
STATE PARTIES
These are commonly referred to as regional parties. Since 1996, nearly every one of the state parties has got an opportunity to be a part off one or the other national level coalition government.
CHALLENGES TO POLITICAL PARTIES
➢ Lack of internal democracy
➢ Dynastic succession
➢ Money and muscle power
➢ No meaningful choice to the voters.
HOW CAN PARTIES BE REFORMED?
Efforts made in India to reform political parties and its leaders: Constitution was amended to prevent defection, affidavits were implemented,
political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.
SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE TO REFORM POLITICAL PARTIES:
- Regulation of party’s internal affairs
- State funding of election
- Pressure of public opinion
- Ensure women participation
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
Question. Berlusconi was the Prime Minister of ________. His company owns TV channels, the most important publishing company, a football club (AC Milan).
(a) Italy
(b) France
(c) Poland
(d) Germany
Answer : (a) Italy
Question. Which of these is a National Party?
(a) INC
(b) CPI
(c) BJP
(d) All of these
Answer : (d) All of these
Question. In countries like India, _________ choose candidates for contesting elections.
(a) Top party leaders
(b) Members of party
(c) Supporters of party
(d) Government officers
Answer : (a) Top party leaders
Question. Match list I with list II and select the correct answer using the Code below in the lists
(a) 1 – b, 2 – c, 3 – d, 4 – a
(b) 1 – c, 2 – b, 3 – d ,4 – a
(c) 1 – c, 2 – a, 3 – b ,4 – d
(d) 1 – b, 2 – c, 3 – a ,4 – d
Answer : (d) 1 – b, 2 – c, 3 – a ,4 – d
Question. What does the picture show?
(a) Role of one party in America
(b) Corporate America controls all major Institution of the country
(c) The party’s symbol is elephant
(D .Multi-party system
Answer : (b) Corporate America controls all major Institution of the country
Question. Which of the following challenges to political party is depicted in this cartoon?
(a) Meaningful choice to the voters
(b) Dynastic succession
(c) Money and muscle power
(d) Lack of internal democracy
Answer : (c) Money and muscle power
Question. Countries having Bi-party system:
(a) India
(b) UK
(c) China
(d) None of these
Answer : (b) UK
Question. What is the meaning of ‘Alliance’.?
(a) Two parties together form the government.
(b) Leftist and Rightist together form the government.
(c) When state and national parties together form the government.
(d) When several parties in a multiparty system join for the purpose of contesting election and winning power.
Answer : (d) When several parties in a multiparty system join for the purpose of contesting election and winning power.
Question. Match list I with list II and select the correct answer using the Code below in the lists
(a) a – 3, b – 1, c – 2, d – 4
(b) a – 3, b – 4, c – 1, d – 2
(c) a – 3, b – 1, c – 4, d – 2
(d) a – 4, b – 3, c – 1, d – 2
Answer : (c) a – 3, b – 1, c – 4, d – 2
Question. How many numbers of parties are registered with The Election Commission of India?
(a) 7100 Parties
(b) Less than 750 parties
(c) 700 parties
(d) More than 750 parties
Answer : (d) More than 750 parties
ASSERTION AND REASONS
Question. Assertion: China doesn’t follow One party system.
Reason: In China only the communist party is allowed to rule.
Options
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer : (d) A is false but R is true.
Question. Assertion: It is mandatory for every candidate who contests election to file an AFFIDAVIT.
Reason: The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals.
Options
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer : (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question. Assertion: India has evolved a multiparty system .
Reason: It is because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties.
Options
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer : (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question. Assertion: Political parties are easily one of the most visible institutions in a democracy.
Reason: For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.
Options
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer : (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question. Assertion: Only those parties that are recognised as national parties can contest in elections for Parliament
Reason: Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission.
Options
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer : (d) A is false but R is true.
Very Short Answer Questions
Question. Describe the Three Types of Party Systems.
Answer : In some countries, only one party is allowed to control and run the government. These are called one-party systems.
In some countries, power usually changes between two main parties. Such a party system is called two-party system.
If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we call it a multiparty system.
Question. What are the two ways of carrying out political reforms in a democratic country?
Answer : 1. By empowering people.
2. By spreading political awareness
Question. What do you understand by a ‘recognised party’?
Answer : A party that gets some privilege such as a unique symbol and other special facilities is called a ‘recognised’ party by the Election Commission.
Question. Why political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy?
Answer : Political parties bring various representatives together to form a responsible Government.
Question. What is defection? Why do MLAs and MPs commit defection?
Answer : Defection: Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected (to a legislative body) to a different party.
MLAs and MPs do this in order to become ministers or for cash rewards.
Question. How is dynastic succession related to lack of internal democracy in political parties?
Answer : When there is a lack of internal democracy in a political party it means that the power to make decisions on behalf of the party rest with one or a few individuals.
These individuals now have an unfair advantage to vest the power to make decisions in people who are close to them or their family members.
Question. “No party system is ideal for all countries and in all situations.” Justify the statement.
Answer : Parties are a necessary condition for a democracy. The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.
Party system is not something any country can choose. It evolves depending on the nature of society, its social and regional divisions, its history of politics and system of elections.
Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special circumstances.
Question. What you mean by partisan?
Answer : Partisan: A person who is strongly committed to a party, group or faction. Partisanship is marked by a tendency to take a side and inability to take a balanced view on an issue.
Question. What is bi-party system?
Answer : In countries, like USA and UK, power usually changes between two main parties. It is bi-party system. Several other parties exist, contest elections and win a few seats in the elections but only the two main parties have a chance to form a government.
Question. Give the reason why a multiparty system has evolved in India.
Answer : It is because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties. No system is ideal for all countries and all situations.
Short Answer Questions
Question. Distinguish between Regional party (State) and National party.
Answer : STATE PARTY
A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party.
NATIONAL PARTY
A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four States and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party.
Question. What are the three main functions of the Ruling party?
Answer : 1. Ruling parties Play a major role in making laws for the country
2. Form and run the Government
3. Recruit and train the leaders
4. make the ministers to run the government
Question. Describe the various party system existing in various countries.
Answer : 1. In some countries, only one party is allowed to control and run the government. These are called ONE-PARTY systems.eg China
2. In some countries, power usually changes between two main parties. Such a party system is called TWO-PARTY system. The United States of America and the United Kingdom are examples of two-party system
3. MULTIPARTY SYSTEM (several parties) eg India
Question. What is a multi-party system? Why has India adopted a multi-party system? Explain.
Answer : A system in which a number of parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, is called a multiparty system. India is a multi-party system. In this system, the government is formed by various parties coming together in a coalition. When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front. For example, in India there were three major alliances in 2004 parliamentary elections—the National Democratic Alliance, the United Progressive Alliance and the Left Front.
This system on one hand leads to political instability but at the same time, allows for a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation. Each country develops a party system that is suitable for its special circumstances. India has evolved as a multi-party system because its social and geographical diversity cannot be absorbed by two or three parties. Thus, such representation strengthens democracy. Multi-party system facilitates representation of regional and geographical diversities.
Question. In what way is an alliance different from a coalition government?
Answer : ALLIANCE
When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front.
COALITION
When no single party gets a clear majority in the election and the government is formed by various parties coming together, it is called a coalition.
Question. Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political parties.” Analyse the statement.
Answer : Most political parties do not practise open and transparent procedures for their functioning. So there are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party. Those who happen to be the leaders are in a position of unfair advantage as they favour people close to them or even their family members. In many parties we see a trend of dynastic succession. The top positions are always controlled by members of a particular family, which is unfair to other members of the party, and bad for democracy. This is so because people who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy positions of power.
More than loyalty to party principles and policies, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important. This tendency is seen all over the world, even in older democracies.
Question. Political parties play major role in democracy. Explain any three points to justify this statement.
Answer : 1. Parties contest elections.
2. Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.
3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
4. Parties form and run governments.
5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition.
6. Parties shape public opinion.
Question. Why do political parties involve partisanship?
Answer : Partisanship is marked by a tendency to take a side and inability to take a balanced view on an issue. Parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society. Parties are a part of the society and they involve partisanship.
Question. Examine the role of opposition parties in a Democracy.
Answer : Opposition parties play an important role in democracies.
1. They ensures political party in power does not misuse or abuse its power;
2. They expose the weaknesses of the ruling party;
3.They also keep a close vigil on the bills and expenditure of the government.
Question. Describe the three components of a political party.
Answer : Components of a political party are:
• The leaders,
• The active members
• The followers.
Question. What is main difference between a pressure group and a political party?
Answer : A pressure group is an organized or unorganized body that seeks to promote its interests.
A political party is a body that seeks to attain political power by contesting elections.
Long Answer Questions
Question. Lack of internal democracy within parties is a major challenge to political parties allover the world. How far do you agree with it?
Answer : • The power is concentrated in one or few leaders at the top
• Parties do not keep membership registers
• Parties do not hold organizational meetings
• They do not conduct internal elections regularly
• Ordinary members do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party.
Question. What is a political party? Suggest and explain any four measures to reform political parties.
Answer : A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
The following reforms could be suggested in order to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well.
• Regulation of party’s internal affairs: A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of their members, to follow their own constitution, to have an independent authority, etc.
• State funding: There should be state funding of elections. The government should give money to parties to support their election expenses to avoid corruption.
• Pressure of public opinion: Political parties can be reformed if people put pressure on them. This can be done through petitions, propaganda and agitations. Pressure groups and media play an important role in it.
• Ensure women participation: It should be made mandatory for all political parties to allot one-third of the tickets to women to ensure their decisive voice in decision making. If the above-mentioned suggestions are taken into consideration, it can be ensured that these could lead to some improvement in the working of the political parties.
Question. Elucidate some of the recent efforts taken in our country to reform political parties and its leaders.
Answer : • Constitution was amended to stop defection.
• Supreme Court passed an order to submit an affidavit giving details of candidates property details and criminal cases pending against him.
• The Election Commission made it mandatory for political parties to hold organisational elections and file their income tax returns.
• One third seats are reserved for women in local self- government.
Question. “Increase in the number of states or regional parties strengthened democracy in India.” Comment.
Answer : India is federal country and the powers of the Government are divided into different levels. Decentralization of power means expansion of democracy. If the number of state or regional parties is increasing it means the people of our country are becoming more aware and they are not happy with the working of existing political parties. In these days regional parties have a say in political policies as they win elections in their states. The national political parties have to take help of the regional parties to win the elections or to form the government. The rise of coalition governments broadened the concept of popular participation. It also strengthens the federal system of the democracy.
Question. Name the national party which was formed under the leader ship of Kanshi Ram . Mention any four features of that party.
Answer : 1. Kanshi Ram formed Bahujan Samaj (BSP) party in 1984 for the welfare of bahujan samaj which included dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.
2. It was inspired from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and others.
3. It has main base in UP, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab.
4. Stands for the cause of securing the interests and welfare of the dalits and oppressed people.
5. It has formed government in UP several times with the help of other parties.
Question. State the various functions that Political parties perform in a democracy.
Answer : 1. Parties contest elections
2. Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.
3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
4. Parties form and run governments
5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition
6. Parties shape public opinion.
7. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.
Question. ‘Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties.’ Examine the statement.
Answer : In a democratic set-up, political parties are required because without political parties:
• Every candidate in the elections will be independent. No promises could be made and the utility of the government formed will remain uncertain.
• No one will be responsible for running the country.
• Elected representatives will only be accountable to their constituency
• There will be no agency to gather and present different views on various issues to the government.
• No one will be responsible for bringing various representatives together so as to form a responsible government. No mechanism to support the government, make policies and justify or oppose them.
Question. “The growing role of money and muscle power is a major challenge in India.” Explain.
Answer : 1. Since parties are focussed only on winning elections, they tend to use short-cuts to win elections.
2. They tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money.
3. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the party.
4. In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections.
5. Democrats all over the world are worried about the increasing role of rich people and big companies in democratic politics.
Question. What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Answer : 1. Lack of internal democracy within parties.
2. Dynastic succession.
3. Growing role of money and muscle power in parties,
4. Lack of meaningful choice to the voters.
Question. What is one-party system? What are its merits and demerits.
Answer : In some countries only one-party is allowed to control and run the government. These are called one-party system. For example, in China only the Communist Party is allowed to rule.
Merits:
1. It helps in the establishment of stable governments.
2. It helps in the fast development of the country as there are no conflicts among the classes.
3. The administration becomes efficient as the powers are concentrated in the hands of party leaders.
4. There is unity and discipline in the country.
5. Time is not wasted in unnecessary criticism and propaganda.
Demerits:
1. There is no freedom of expression. No one can speak against the party.
2. Democracy is eroded and one-party dictatorship is established.
3. There is no respect for the views of different classes and interests.
4. The administration becomes irresponsible due to lack of criticism and opposition.
Political and social freedoms are crushed. This hinders the development of the personality.
CASE BASED QUESTIONS
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
Democracies that follow a federal system all over the world tend to have two kinds of political parties: parties that are present in only one of the federal units and parties that are present in several or all units of the federation. This is the case in India as well. There are some countrywide parties, which are called ‘national parties’. These parties have their units in various states. But by and large, all these units follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level. Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission. While the Commission treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to large and established parties. These parties are given a unique symbol – only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol. Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are ‘recognised’ by the Election Commission for this purpose. That is why these parties are called, ‘recognised political parties’. The Election Commission has laid down detailed criteria of the proportion of votes and seats that a party must get in order to be a recognised party. A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party. A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four States and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party.
1. A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a ——-
(a) Multi-party
(b) Two -party
(c) One -party
(d) None of these
Answer : (d) None of these
2. What is the full form of UPA?
(a) United progressive alliance
(b) Unique public alliance
(c) United public alliance
(d) Unique progressive alliance
Answer : (a) United progressive alliance
3. Countrywide parties are called ———-
(a) State party
(b) Regional party
(c) National party
(d) All the above
Answer : (c) National party
4. Which of the following is a National party?
(a) Sikkim Democratic Front
(b) CPI-M
(c) DMK
(d) Kerala Congress
Answer : (b) CPI-M
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
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 new system has made a lot of information available to the public. But there is no system of check if the information given by the candidates is true. As yet we do not know if it has led to decline in the influence of the rich and the criminals.
The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns. The parties have started doing so but sometimes it is mere formality. It is not clear if this step has led to greater internal democracy in political parties. Besides these, many suggestions are often made to reform political parties: A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members, to follow its own constitution, to have an independent authority, to act as a judge in case of party disputes, to hold open elections to the highest posts. It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third, to women candidates. Similarly, there should be a quota for women in the decision making bodies of the party.
1. It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third, to —— candidates.
(a) Dalits
(b) Women
(c) Youths
(d) All the above
Answer : (b) Women
2. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
(a) Prime Minister
(b) Governor
(c) President
(d) None of these
Answer : (c) President
3. There were ——— recognised national parties in the country in 2019.
(a) 7
(b) 6
(c) 10
(d) 5
Answer : (a) 7
4. A signed document submitted to an officer, where a person makes a sworn statement regarding her personal information is known as——-
(a) Defection
(b) Affidavit
(c) Partisan
(d) Pledge
Answer : (b) Affidavit
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
Other than these seven parties, most of the major parties of the country are classified by the Election Commission as ‘State parties’. These are commonly referred to as regional parties. Yet these parties need not be regional in their ideology or outlook. Some of these parties are all India parties that happen to have succeeded only in some states . Parties like the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal have national level political organisation with units in several states. Some of these parties like Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front, Mizo National Front and Telangana Rashtra Samithi are conscious about their State identity. Over the last three decades, the number and strength of these parties has expanded. This made the Parliament of India politically more and more diverse. No one national party is able to secure on its own a majority in the Lok Sabha, until 2014. As a result, the national parties are compelled to form alliances with State parties . Since 1996, nearly every one of the State parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.
1. Which of the following facilities is offered by the Election Commission to a recognised political party?
(a) Party name
(b) Land
(c) Election funds
(d) Unique symbol
Answer : (d) Unique symbol
2. Biju Janata Dal is a political party of—-
(a) Punjab
(b) Odisha
(c) Bihar
(d) None of these
Answer : (b) Odisha
3. When was the Rashtriya Janata Dal formed?
(a) 1998
(b) 1995
(c) 1993
(d) 1990
Answer : (a) 1998
4. State political parties are also known as
(a) National parties
(b) Regional parties
(c) Alliance parties
(d) None of these
Answer : (b) Regional parties
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, formed by Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951. Wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values; and Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ideas of integral humanism and Antyodaya. Cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’) is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood and politics Indian National Congress (INC): Popularly known as the Congress Party. One of the oldest parties of the world. Founded in 1885 and has experienced many splits. Played a dominant role in Indian politics at the national and state level for several decades after India’s Independence . centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation, the party espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities . Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Formed in 1999 following a split in the Congress party . Espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and federalism. Wants that high offices in government be confined to natural born citizens of the country. A major party in Maharashtra and has a significant presence in Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam. A coalition partner in the state of Maharashtra in alliance with the Congress . Since 2004, a member of the United Progressive Alliance.
1. Which party supports Gandhian secularism?
(a) INC
(b) NCP
(c) CPI
(d) BSP
Answer : (b) NCP
2. ——– Political party wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values
(a) NCP
(b) BJP
(c) INC
(d) AITC
Answer : (b) BJP
3. —– political party espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities
(a) NCP
(b) BJP
(c) INC
(d) AITC
Answer : (c) INC
4. ——believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy. Opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism.
(a) NCP
(b) BJP
(c) INC
(d) CPI
Answer : (d) CPI
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
The inspiration behind the following imaginary narrative is Shri Kishen Patnaik (1930–2004), also known as Kishenji. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from Sambalpur, Odisha in 1962. What did Kishenji mean by an alternative political formation? The question came up in a conversation between Sudha, Karuna, Shaheen and Gracy. All four women had led very powerful people’s movements in different parts of the country. They were meeting in a village in Odisha, away from their day-to-day struggles, to think afresh the future of people’s movements. The discussion naturally turned to Kishenji, who was regarded as a friend, political philosopher and moral guide by all the movement groups in the country. He had argued that people’s movement should embrace politics openly. His argument was simple yet powerful. Movements focused on a single issue are suitable as long as we wish to achieve limited changes in a particular aspect of life. But if we wish to bring about a fundamental social transformation, or basic change even in one aspect of life, we would need a political organisation. People’s movement must establish a new political formation to act as a moral force in politics. This was an urgent task, he said, because all the existing political parties had become irrelevant for social transformation. “But Kishenji never clarified what that organisation will be. He talked of an alternative political formation or a third force in politics. But did he mean a political party?” said Gracy. She felt that an old style political party was not the right instrument for social change. Sudha agreed with her. “I have thought about it several times. I agree that all the struggles that we are involved with – the struggle against displacement, against globalisation, against caste and gender oppression and for an alternative kind of development – all this is political. But the moment we form a party, all the goodwill we have earned all these years will be lost. People will think of us as no different from other politicians.” “Besides”, added Karuna, “we have seen that a lot can be achieved by putting pressure on the existing political parties. We tried putting up candidates in panchayat elections, but the results were not very encouraging. People respect our work, they even adore us, but when it comes to voting they go for the established political parties.” Shaheen did not agree with them: “Let us be very clear. Kishenji wanted all the people’s movements to forge a new political party. Of course he wanted this party to be a different kind of a party. He was not for political alternatives, but for an alternative kind of politics.”
1. Who was Kishen Patnaik?
(a) Member of Legislative assembly from Sambalpur,Odish in1962
(b) Member of Parliament from Sambalpur, Odisha in 1962
(c) Member of legislative council from Sambalpur, Odisha in 1962
(d) Member of Parliament from Sambalpur, Odisha in 1982
Answer : (b) Member of Parliament from Sambalpur, Odisha in 1962
2. Who were the main activists of this conversation?
(a) Sudha, Karuna, Shaheen and Mary
(b) Sudha, Kavya, Shaheen and Gracy
(c) Sudha, Karuna, Shaheen and Gracy
(d) Sudha, Kavery, Shaheen and Gracy
Answer : (c) Sudha, Karuna, Shaheen and Gracy
3. All four women had led very powerful people’s ——- in different parts of the country
(a) Movements
(b) Political parties
(c) Clubs
(d) Organizations
Answer : (a) Movements
4. What is the full form of NDA?
(a) National Department Alliance
(b) National Dictator Alliance
(c) National Democratic Alliance
(d) National Director Alliance
Answer : (c) National Democratic Alliance
