India has a multi-party system with a predominance of small regional parties. National parties are those that are recognized in four or more states. They are accorded this status by the Election Commission of India, which periodically reviews the election results in various states. This recognition helps the political parties to claim unique ownership of certain identities, such as the party symbol, until the next review of their status. Below are national parties as per October 2004.
The Constitution of India stipulates that India be a federal polity with a central government in New Delhi, and state governments for the various states and Union territories. Consequently, political parties in India are classified as national and state (regional) parties based on their realms of influence. See list of recognised political parties in India.
Number of political Parties in India:
National parties
|
8
|
State parties
|
47
|
Other parties represented in the Lok Sabha
|
7
|
Other parties represented in the Rajya Sabha
|
1
|
Registered Unrecognized Parties
|
745
|
Other parties (Not registered with EC)
|
34
|
Parties from the past
|
66
|
TOTAL Parties
|
908
|
|
|
|
TOTAL Coalitions
|
12
|
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