CBSE Class 10 Political Science Chapter-6 Political Parties – Free PDF Download
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CBSE Class 10 Political Science Chapter-6 Political Parties Important Questions
CBSE Class 10 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 6 – Political Parties
3 Mark Questions
1. What are the main functions of a political party?
Ans. 1. To contest election
2. Forming policies and programmes
3. Making laws
4. Parties form and fun govt.
5. To play an active role of opposition
6. Shaping public opinion
7. Access to govt. machinery and welfare schemes
2. What are the challenges between political parties in India?
Ans. Following points can be given with explanation as the challenges of political parties in India—
1. Lack of internal democracy
2. Lack of transparency
3. Use of money and muscle power
4. Not providing meaningful choice to the voter
3. Mention the features of Congress party in India?
Ans. 1. Congress party was founded in 1885 and has experiences many splits.
2. It was ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then in 1880-89, 2000 to till date
3. This party supports secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.
4. It supports new economic reforms but with a human face.
5. It emerged as the largest party with 145 seats in the Lok Sabha elections in 2004.
6. It currently leads the ruling united progressive alliance (UPA) coalition govt. at the centre.
4. Name six National Political Parties of India along with their symbols.
Ans. 1. Indian National Congress Hand
2. Bharatiya Janta Party Lotus
3. Bahujan Samaj Party Elephant
4. Communist Party of India-(Marxist) Sickle, Hammer and Star
5. Communist Party of India Sickle and Wheat
6.Natinalist Congress Party Clock
5. Explain the requirements fulfilled by a political party to become a national political party.
Ans. 1. The party has to secure at least six percent of the total votes in the Lok Sabha elections.
2. Six percent of the total votes in the state Assembly elections and win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are hazardous to life and property.
6. Write down the name of regional political party dominant in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal.
Ans. 1. Andhra Pradesh- Telgu Desam Party (1982), Telangana Rashtra Sammiti(2001)
2. Karnataka- Janata Dal (secular)1999
3. West Bengal- Forward Bloc (1940), Revolutionary Socialist Party (1940), Trinamool Congress (1977).
7. Why are symbols allotted to political parties by the election commission of India? Give reason?
Ans. 1. For the recognition of the political parties the symbols are required.
2. It means party is large and established.
3. Only the official candidates of the political party can use it.
4. Voters can caste their vote easily.
5. One can easily recognize the party is either a national or regional party.
8. What is a political party? What are the components of a political party?
Ans. A political party is a association of people who come together to contest elections and keen to hold power in the government. Political parties put forward different policies and programs and the voters choose for them. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Following are the components
1. The Leaders.
2. The Active Members.
3. The followers
9. Explain the constitutional measures to counter challenges faced by political parties.
Ans. 1. The constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties. This is called anti defection law.
2. The Supreme Court made it mandatory for every candidate to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.
3. The Election Commission made it necessary for political parties to hold elections and file their Income tax Returns.
10. Write down the parameters laid down by the Election Commission of India to recognize the State Political Parties and National Political Parties.
Ans. 1. Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission.
2. In a state party the party members aim to highlight the regional interest. On the other hand, a national party gives due importance to national interests.
3. State party: A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in the election to the Legislative assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party.
4. National party: A party secure at least six percent of the total votes in the Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognized as a national party.
11.Give a brief introduction of BJP and Elaborate the Ideology of this Political party.
Ans. 1. It believes in a strong and modern India which drives its inspirations from its ancient cultural and values.
2. In its ideological orientation the BJP is a rightist party.
3. It wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir.
4. This party is against the religious conversion.
12.“BJP wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir”. Explain the Article 307 of Indian Constitution, according to which, Jammu and Kashmir is enjoying special privileges.
This party is against the religious conversion.
Ans. 1. Though Jammu and Kashmir is a state like other states of India, yet under Instrument of Accession, it is given a special status and for this purpose Article-370 is inserted into the constitution under which in comparison to other states of India Jammu and Kashmir is given more autonomy.
2. Jammu and Kashmir has a separate constitution.
3. Many articles of Indian Constitution of India do not apply to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. For example article -3 of Indian Constitution.
4. The people of other states cannot purchase property there.
13. How can the quality of democracy be improved in a country like India?
Ans. 1. Quality of democracy depends on active public participation, instead of criticism of the government.
2. Not only political parties, but ordinary citizens, pressure groups and movements and the media, all must work towards improving democracy.
3. Values such as honesty must be included at an early age so that people learn to be corruption free.
14.What is meant by defection in democracy? Explain.
Ans. Defection in politics means changing political party to another party for some personal benefits. It means changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected to a different party. It happens when a legislature, after having been elected from a particular party leaves it and joins in other party.
To prevent this custom of changing party legislature of India made a law that is anti defection law. The constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties. Now the law says that if any MLA and MP changes parties, he or she will lose seat in the legislature. The new law has brought defection down and has made dissent even more difficult.
15.Name the National political party that has been in power in West Bengal for 30 years? Write any two points related to this political party.
Ans. Communist party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)
1. Founded in 1964. Believes in Marxism-Leninism, supports socialism, secularism and communalism.
2. Accepts democratic elections as a useful means for securing the objective of socio-economic justice in India.
3. Has been in power in West Bengal without a break for 30 years.
16. Who was Berlusconi? Elaborate his business.
Ans. 1. Berlusconi was the prime Minister of Italy.
2. He is also one of the top businessmen in Italy.
3. He is the leader of the Froza Italia founded in 1993.
4. His company owns TV channels, the most important publishing company a football club and a bank.
17. Which national party draws inspiration from the teachings of Mahatma Phule and Periyar? Write any three points related to this party.
Ans. Bahujan Samaj Party draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb Ambedkar.
1. BSP was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.
2. This party seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj which includes the Dalits, adivasies, OBCs and religious minorities.
3. It stands for the cause of securing the interests and welfare of the dalits and oppresses people.
18. Write a short not on Communist Party of India.
Ans. 1. Communist party of India formed in 1925. Believes in Marxist-Leninism, secularism and democracy.
2. Opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism.
3. Accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of promoting the interests of the working class, farmers and the poor.
4. Became weak after the split in 1964 that led to the formation of the CPI (M).
5. Significant presence in the state of Kerala, west Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
19. Suggest some measures to reform financial position of political parties in India?
Ans. 1.It should be mandatory for political party to submit its audited annual financial statement.
2. It is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.
3. There should be state funding of elections. The government should give money to parties to meet their election expenses.
4. The financial accounts of every political party should be made public. These accounts should be examined by government auditors.
20. Elaborate the role of public in the reformation of political parties.
Ans. 1. People can put pressure on political parties. This can be done through petitions, publicity and agitations.
2. Ordinary citizens, pressure groups and movements and media can play an important role in this.
3. If political Parties feel that they would lose public support by not taking up reforms, they would become more serious about reforms.
4. The quality of democracy depends on the degree of political participation. It is difficult to reform politics if ordinary citizens do not take part in it and simply criticize it from outside.
21. “A decline in the ideological differences among political parties is major challenge” Explain this challenge with suitable arguments.
Ans. 1. In recent years there has been a decline in the ideological difference among parties in most parts of the world.
2. For example the difference between the Labour Party and the Conservative party in Britain is very little. They agree on more fundamental aspects but differ only in details on how policies are to be formed and implemented.
3. In our country too, the differences among all the major parties on the economic policies have reduced.
4. Those who want really different policies have no option available to them. Sometimes people cannot even elect very different leaders either, because the same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another.
22. Why is there a lack of internal democracy within the political parties in India? Give reasons.
Ans. 1. Concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.
2. Details of membership are not registered in the parties.
3. No organizational meetings.
4. No internal elections for membership within the party.
Top leaders have unanimous power of decision-making
23. How do political parties help in shaping public opinion? Explain.
Ans. 1. The raise and highlight issues.
2. They form pressure groups as extended arms.
3. The launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by the people.
4. They have lakhs of members and activists.
24. What do you understand by the Bi-party system? Write its one merit and one demerit?
Ans. Two-party system: In some countries, power usually changes between two main parties. Several other parties may exist, contest elections and win a few seats in the national legislatures. But only the two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority of seats to form government. Such a party system is called two-party system.
1.Merit: This system allows stability of government as no coalition is there.
2. Demerit: In this system, only two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority seats to form the government.
25. Why cannot modern democracies exist without the political parties? Explain any four reasons.
Ans. 1. The every candidate in the elections will be independent. So no one will be able to make any promise to the people about any major policy changes.
2. The government will be formed but its utility will remain ever uncertain.
3. Elected representatives will be responsible only to their constituency and not for the entire country.
4. But no one will be responsible for how the country run.
26. Name the national political party which gets inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values. Mention four features of that party.
Ans. Bharatiya Janta Party gets inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values. Following are the features:
1. Cultural Nationalism or Hindutva is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood and politics.
2. The party wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir.
3. A common Civil Code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion and ban on religious conversions.
27. Explain the reasons for the lack of internal democracy in the political parties of India.
Ans. 1. There is lack of internal democracy within political parties. Parties do not keep membership registers and do not hold organizational meetings.
2. Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party.
3. They do not have the means or the connections needed to influence the decisions.
4. As a result the leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party.
28. Examine the rise and growth of political parties?
Ans. 1.The representative democracies emerged when there was the need of some agency to gather different views and present to the government. This happened when societies become large and complex. This led to the political parties to emerge.
2. In the contemporary world to have a responsible government, the countries needed various representatives to support and restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them. The growth of political parties fulfils these needs.
29. Which is the recently formed national party? Examine its objectives and present status.
Ans. Nationalist Congress Party is the recently formed national party after the split in congress in 1999.
1. Objectives of NCP: This party advocates democracy, Gandhian secularism, equality, justice and federalism. Wants that high offices in government be confined to natural born citizens of the country.
2. Present Status: 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.
30. ‘Increase in the number of states and regional parties strengthen the democracy in India’. Comment.
Ans. As India is a federal state, so more regional parties mean more influence of state parties in national politics. Earlier, up to 1989 there was a very much influence of congress party in the political sphere of our country. During that time the political party who was ruling in the centre, sometimes used its emergency power to abolish the state government, in order to establish its own party’s government. Now regional parties have a say in the political policies as they win elections in their states. In the present political scenario no single national party has been able to form government. Indian National Congress has its own Alliance that is United Progressive Alliance and the BJP has its own Alliance that is National Democratic Alliance. This has broadened the concept of popular participation and strengthened the federation and democracy in our country.
31. The political scene is the mass of many parties. How do politicians mange these coalitions? Give your opinion.
Ans. It is true that presently political scene is dominated by many parties. If we take it in positive sense we see that this signifies:
1. The concept of popular participation.
2. Equal representation to all the sections of the society.
3. This system has strengthened federal system of democracy.
4. It is helpful to get equal share in the power.
The politicians do manage these coalitions by giving proportional representation to all the emerging political parties and their members.
32. How far is it correct to say that opposition plays a very important role in a democracy? Elaborate your answer with suitable arguments.
Ans. An effective responsible and responsive opposition is the hallmark of a democracy. Opposition plays a very important role in a democracy.
1. It acts like a restraining force as it represents legitimate dissent. The opposition criticizes and exposes the mistakes, shortcoming, failures, and lapses of the ruling party and thus acts like a necessary corrective to it.
2. The opposition helps to ventilate the grievances of the people and help the government to know their views. In this way they help in the formulation of policy.
3. The opposition has often checked and financial malpractices on part of the government and exposed the government’s various scams.
33. Explain some instances that reflecting the efforts of Indian Government to reform the political parties and leaders.
Ans. 1. The constitution was amended to prevent MPs and MLAs from changing parties and leaders. For this Anti Defection law was made.
2. The Supreme Court made it mandatory for every candidate to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.
3. The Election Commission made it necessary for political parties to hold elections and file their Income tax returns.
4. The RTI has made a lot of information available to the public.