MCQs

1. What is a national party in India?

a) A party that contests elections only in one state

b) A party that is recognized in at least four states and meets certain vote percentage criteria

c) A party that does not contest elections but influences policy-making

d) A party that has representation in only one house of Parliament

2. Which of the following is NOT a recognized national party in India (as of 2019)?

a) Indian National Congress (INC)

b) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

c) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)

d) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

3. What is the minimum percentage of total votes a party must secure in a Lok Sabha or Assembly election in at least four states to be recognized as a national party?

a) 2%

b) 4%

c) 6%

d) 10%

4. Which national party was in power in West Bengal continuously for 34 years?

a) Indian National Congress

b) Bharatiya Janata Party

c) Communist Party of India (Marxist)

d) Nationalist Congress Party

5. Which party was formed in 1984 with the aim of representing Dalits and other marginalized communities?

a) Communist Party of India (CPI)

b) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

c) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

d) Trinamool Congress (TMC)

Answers and Explanations

1. (b) A party that is recognized in at least four states and meets certain vote percentage criteria.

• A national party must secure at least 6% of the total votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in four states and win at least four Lok Sabha seats .

2. (c) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

• RJD is a state party and does not qualify as a national party .

3. (c) 6%.

• To be recognized as a national party, a party must secure at least 6% of votes in four states .

4. (c) Communist Party of India (Marxist).

• CPI(M) ruled West Bengal from 1977 to 2011 .

5. (b) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

• BSP was founded in 1984 by Kanshi Ram to represent Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and religious minorities .

Challenges to Political Parties