The Election Commission (EC) has made significant changes to the national party status of several political parties in India. Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Communist Party of India (CPI) have lost their national party status, while Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been granted the tag following its recent win in Gujarat, where it secured five seats.
The criteria for granting national party status by the EC are based on several factors. A political party must secure at least 6 per cent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or the State Legislative Assembly. The party must also win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states. Additionally, the party must win at least 2 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha, which is a minimum of 11 seats, from at least three different states. Lastly, the party should be recognized as a state party in at least four states.
Based on these criteria, Trinamool Congress, NCP, and CPI have lost their national party status. This decision comes after these parties failed to meet the required criteria in recent elections. Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, lost the national party status due to not meeting the 6 per cent vote share requirement in the Lok Sabha elections in several states. Similarly, NCP and CPI failed to win enough seats in the Lok Sabha from different states to maintain their national party status.
On the other hand, AAP, led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has gained national party status after its recent success in Gujarat. The party secured five seats in the Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat, meeting the criteria of winning at least 4 seats in a state. This win has also helped AAP fulfill the requirement of winning at least 2 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha from different states. As a result, AAP has been granted the national party status by the EC.
The changes in the national party status have significant implications for these political parties. National party status provides several benefits, including better access to election symbols, more airtime on national television and radio, and enhanced funding from the Election Commission. Losing national party status may impact the visibility and resources of Trinamool Congress, NCP, and CPI in future elections, while gaining the status is a significant milestone for AAP.
The EC’s decision to grant national party status to AAP and withdraw it from Trinamool Congress, NCP, and CPI has sparked debates and discussions among political pundits and analysts. Some see it as a reflection of the changing political landscape in India, with AAP emerging as a formidable force outside its stronghold in Delhi. Others view it as a setback for Trinamool Congress, NCP, and CPI, who will need to reassess their strategies to regain the coveted national party status.
In conclusion, the recent decision by the Election Commission to grant national party status to AAP and withdraw it from Trinamool Congress, NCP, and CPI has reshaped the political landscape in India. It highlights the changing dynamics of Indian politics and the need for political parties to meet the stringent criteria set by the EC to maintain their national party status. The impact of these changes on the upcoming elections and the future trajectory of these political parties remains to be seen.