Buzzword : NATIONAL PARTY 

Recently you may have come to know that AAP (i.e. Aam Adami Party - a political party in India ) set to became the 9th National Party of India after winning 5 seats (MLAs) and securing 13% polled vote share in the Gujarat Assembly Election on Thursday Evening. Congratulations to AAP workers but for me as a curious individual I was quite  interested in the Buzzword - 'National Party'.

So Good morning readers, In this Blog Post I will share my learning regarding 'How a registered party became a 'National Party' in India'.

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What is a national party ?

A party with a 'National' presence i.e. the presence of a party is not restricted to one state or region as opposed to a regional party with a presence only in a particular state or region. Parties like the Congress and BJP are a 'National Party' however smaller parties like the Trinamool Congress, CPM and CPI are also recognized as a National Parties.

There are certain benefits for the political party after being recognized as a National Party. Like 

• Their election symbols (like the AAP’s broom) are reserved for use by their candidates across the country
• They are eligible to get land in Delhi to build a party office
• Entitled to airtime on the public broadcaster for election campaigns, example - All India Radio
• They can have up to 40 star campaigners instead of the 20 that state parties are allowed
• The expenditure on campaigning and travel of star campaigners is not added to the candidate's spending limit.

Criteria for recognition as a national party ?

The ECI (Election Commission of India) has laid down some specific criteria for registered party for being recognised as a national party. A party may gain or lose national  status from  time to time, depending on whether it meets the criteria. 

The Recognized Party status is reviewed periodically by the ECI. The review take place after two consecutive elections instead of every election. If the party fail to meet the criteria, they would lose their status.

As per the ECI’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 handbook , A registered party would be recognized as a national party only if it fulfils any one of the conditions listed below

• It is ‘recognised’ in 4 or more states as a state party; or
• If its candidates polled at least 6% of total valid votes in any four or more states in the last Lok Sabha Assembly elections and has at least four MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls; or
•  If it has won at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than 3 states.

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And to be recognised as a State Party, a registered party needs to fulfills any one of the Five Condition listed below:

• Secure at least  '6% vote share ➕  2 MLA',  in the last Assembly election; or
• Secure at least  '6% vote share ➕ 1 MP ', in the last Lok Sabha elections from that state; or
• Should win at least 3% of the total number of seats or 3 seats (MLAs), whichever is more, in the last Assembly elections; or
• at least one MP for every 25 members or any fraction allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha; or
• Have at least 8% of the total valid votes in the last Assembly election or Lok Sabha election from the state.