Thread: Why regional parties become strong in various states in Indian politics ?

We know before the independence Indian national congress was the biggest party in Indian politics. Even after the independence few years in India regional party not become so strong but if we look last two decade we will suddenly get lots of strong regional parties in various Indian state. Like DMK & AIADMK in Tamilnadu, TDP in Andhra Pradesh,BJD in Orrisa, Trinomool in West Bengal,NCP & Sivesena in Maharastra, even Left parties present in Kerala & WB & Tripura only, SP & BSP in Uttar Pradesh and lot more. Although in this Loksabha election regional parties did not get great result but still they become very important part in Indian politics.
Now question is why such small parties’ popularity developed in this country? Although I have my view but please all of you add many more.

1.Different state Issue-- Before the independence although various state had various kind of problem and issue but still all the issue had been suppressed due to one big major issue ‘freedom’ and most of the people united in this major issue under one national party. After the freedom this issue becomes irreverent and zonal problem issue developed more and more and Indian people of various states divided because of their demand. It was not easy to fulfill the demand of all state by any single large party. So in few sate they can able to fill up the demand of people and few state they can’t able and that’s the one reason to development of regional party.

2.National party Issue--Now India has so many state now small parties have the popularity only in one state so leadership can compete and fight to get more advantage for their own state. This is not possible for national party because they present in almost all state if they give benefit to one state then they will lose popularity from other state. So they try to become little neutral but practically they loss popularity from few state.

3.Cultural issue -- This is also have role in politics because national parties high command present in capital of the state all the major decision takes the central committee that’s why sometimes they fail to understand people thinking, problem, issue and demand that’s also another reason.

4.Language issue --It’s not major but still it’s issue for national party. Although all national party has regional or local leader but still top leaders only can give speech one or two language. Which can’t able to touch all state people (specially rural).
Now you all can give or add more reason why regional parties popularity increased.

Lack of national sentiment is the main issue. Only cricket seems to unite our people these days. Depleting strength of national parties were also a cause. The rise of cast politics to counter Indira Gandhi lead to the formation of Janata party which split into regional parties based on caste system. Since one caste will dominate only in one region, there were more than one regional/caste parties in the state. One dalit party, Yadav party, Muslim party, Hindu party, dravida party, language party etc came into existence.


A part is owed to politician who ignored states other than which they belonged. It fuel the formation of regional parties who stood for the need of a region in particular.

As I know UP politics is based on caste but I can say you in WB there is caste politics is not important at all.Another think non-development is another issue.I don't think national sentiment issue is biggest reason because if anyone love the country that does not mean he/she need to vote national party .

When Vajpayee was in power, he had great influence on public. He was considered as a national icon and people wanted back in power. Similar sentiments are on way for Sonia Gandhi. We need icons of national stature, which at present only cricketers have.

I think coalition government can be good also if there is less corruption as all views can be heard properly. In time of Nehru , there was hardly any opposition & that kind of politics is bad for country.

Regional parties bacome strong only because National Parties have failed to deliver in case of some states like UP & Bihar. Congress was not able to uplift them much.

to quote an ancient greek philosopher,

"A democracy without literacy is a hypocracy"

US had two major party only because they don't have much diversity & difference of opinions are also not there much.

Originally Posted by Luke Skywalker

US had two major party only because they don't have much diversity & difference of opinions are also not there much.

Who ever comes to power, they try to improve the country, not like in india. we have so much differences to resolve.

Originally Posted by strider

Who ever comes to power, they try to improve the country, not like in india. we have so much differences to resolve.

I think it is our differences in opinions which will make us strong for after all shouting & mud slinging what remains untarnished is generally a good for all.

Originally Posted by panchabhut

to quote an ancient greek philosopher,

"A democracy without literacy is a hypocracy"

I agree with you but still one think I want to add not many educated person follow the politics correctly mate or not all illiterate person are fool I saw few non-literate person they try to follow the political phenomena I don't know they can able to judge right or not, that debatable issue.
So one thing I can say political awareness & education both is very much necessary to establish strong democracy.

Originally Posted by Luke Skywalker

US had two major party only because they don't have much diversity & difference of opinions are also not there much.

I can say only one thing that scenario of US and India is totally different mate .

Originally Posted by rupu1983

I agree with you but still one think I want to add not many educated person follow the politics correctly mate or not all illiterate person are fool I saw few non-literate person they try to follow the political phenomena I don't know they can judge right or wrong that debatable issue.
One thing I can say political awareness & education both is very much necessary to establish strong democracy.

That is the real issue.

Regional parties mainly depend on caste vote bank. You evade their influence, they die gradually. Most of them have a supreme leader. When he dies the party gets wiped out (unless he manages to replace his post with his son).

Originally Posted by meetdilip

Regional parties mainly depend on caste vote bank. You evade their influence, they die gradually. .

I don't know all regional party statistics but what I have said in WB caste politics is not effective like UP.Probably TN,AP,UP state various caste vote are very much polarized.

Most of them have a supreme leader. When he dies the party gets wiped out (unless he manages to replace his post with his son)

That's valid point but if one regional party 'wiped out' another small will came in that place.

Originally Posted by rupu1983

I can say only one thing that scenario of US and India is totally different mate .

I agree with that's why we need regional party to safeguard voices of minority of all types like linguistics , religions , regions others.

Originally Posted by Luke Skywalker

I agree with that's why we need regional party to safeguard voices of minority of all types like linguistics , religions , regions others.

Indians have sold their country on all instances, regionalism is a very small thing.