India is the largest democracy in the world and elections are its backbone which gives an opportunity to various political parties in the country to represent the diverse population in the country and fight for their causes. In India's electoral system, there are national parties, state parties and regional parties but the status of being a national party holds the maximum importance and benefits. So how a political party is recognised as a national party. Let's take a look.
What is the criteria of being recognised as national party?
- A party must be recognised state party in four or more states or;
- A party's candidates must get at least 6 per cent share of total valid votes in any four or more states in the last Lok Sabha or assembly elections and has at least four MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls or;
- A party should win at least 2 per cent of total seats in at least 3 states in Lok Sabha elections.
What benefits a national party gets?
- A National Party is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates throughout India.
- It's candidates require only one proposer for filing the nomination
- Candidates of a national party are also entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost at the time of revision of rolls and their candidates get one copy of electoral roll free of cost during General Elections.
- A national party also gets broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections.
- A recognised national party can have a maximum of 40 “Star campaigners” during elections.
List of present national parties in India
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Indian National Congress (INC)
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
- Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- National People's Party (NPP)
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