Congress Party Dominance In Indian Politics

Abstract

An analysis of the functioning of the Indian party system indicates that the political process has been deinstitutionalized. The process of deinstitutionalization was initiated in the 1970s. Therefore, the Indian Party system is at crossroads. Here we assume that the functioning of the party system is primarily responsible for the deinstitutionalization of the political process in India. Based on this analysis, suggestions can be made to reform the Indian party system. The four major left political parties – CPI (M), CPI, RSP, and Forward Bloc obtained 61 seats in the 2004 general elections. This electoral success made it more powerful than ever before in national Politics.1 Left political parties extended outside support to the Congress-led UPA government. Congress Party had to be dependent on the left party's support for the survival of the government. This situation made Congress party politically vulnerable and communist parties more assertive in dictating terms to the coalition in running the government. Replacement of the existing constitution is not the solution. Political parties are responsible for the present state of affairs in Indian politics. Political and electoral reforms can substantially help to solve the problems of the Indian polity. It is very pertinent to identify political and electoral reforms instead of debating the constitution. In this context, reforming the political parties should get a central place. Adoption of these reforms will improve the performance of the institutions of the parliamentary democracy and federal system.