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1. SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS
OF POLITICAL PROCESS
CHAPTER 5
PROF. KARISHMA SHETTY

2. MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM
 A multi-party system is in which multiple political parties compete
with each other in the country for national level elections.
All these parties who participate in the political run have the
capability to gain control of the offices, either independently or by
combining with other party or parties.
The emergence of political parties and their growth has a close
connection with democracy and the electoral system. Multi-party
systems are common in the parliamentary form of systems as
compared to presidential systems.

3.  There are many countries in the world who follow the multi-party
system for example India, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, France,
Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Moldova, Nepal,
the Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain,
New Zealand, Taiwan, Norway, Lebanon, Mexico, Switzerland,
Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia and many more. In most of the
above mentioned countries, generally, no single party has a
parliamentary majority by itself.
 Instead, multiple political parties form alliance or a group and
combine into one, for the purpose of developing powerful system for
governance.

4. THE PARTY
SYSTEM IN
INDIAN POLITICS:

5. The creation of parties for any country is ongoing process.
The cultural diversity, demographic factors like social, caste,
community, religion, traditions of the national movements, different
styles of leadership in each party, and clashing ideological perspectives
between the different parties has helped to shape Indian party
structure. For example we consider BJP as mostly a party which favors
Hindus, but it justifies its point by saying that "All people living in
Hindustan are Hindus”.
Each party has its own ideology and all this combined has led to
formation of the Indian political culture.

6.  The events, reform movements, such as Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Rama
Krishna Mission, Aligarh Movement, Singh Sabha Movement etc., required
representation of Indians in civil services and needed some people with decision
making skills and also helped in developing a protest against the policies of
colonial masters at various stages.
 These movements were led by powerful, committed leaders.
 The emergence of powerful leadership at different stages of the reforms and
anti-colonial movements played a very important role in the emergence of
democratic political culture that exists in India today.
 The formation of Indian National Congress was the beginning of new phase for
evolution of parties and a justification of their growing 'unity' as a nation.

7. EVOLUTION OF
MULTI-PARTY
SYSTEM IN INDIA:
The current Indian party system has evolved through a lot of phases
from one party to multi-party system.

8. (1) One Party Dominant System:
The Congress Party was in its position as a popular party,
from 1952 till 1967 occupying most of the space in the
Indian political system, because there was plurality within
the dominant party system, i.e. the number of votes for the
congress party were in the greatest numbers, which made it
more representative and flexible.

9. (2) Polarization of Regional Political Parties:
The 1967 elections showed division in Indian politics, which led to major structural
changes in the political system, thus leading to shift from dominant party system
to competitive politics.
This was a very important phase in Indian politics as it showed that the confidence
of citizens of nation was shifting from congress.
1973 onwards Indira Gandhi suffered a loss of popularity due to a nationwide
drought in 1971, during this phase the government couldn't give satisfactory
services and aid to its citizens, 1972 and 1973 was also accompanied by high
inflation, a massive railway strike and general economic guess.
The popularity and dominance of Congress was wearing out on the one hand,
party started losing majority.
It lost in eight state assemblies during that phase out of sixteen states.
This phase lasted from 1967 to 1977, almost 10 years.

10. (3) Evolution of Bi- Party Situation: Mergers and Splits
(1977-79)
The general elections in the year 1977 brought to an end thirty years of
Congress Party rule.
Out of these thirty years, eleven years of the goverment were led by Indira
Gandhi and it was twenty one months of an emergency that had set the nation
on a dictatorial rule following.
During this phase of rule of Indira Gandhi, it contributed to the formation of
oppositional organizations and movements, such as the Nava Nirman Yuvak
Samiti in Gujarat and Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti in Bihar as well as the student
bodies that spread rapidly to other states, which further created a pattern of
future politics in India.
This was two year phase (1977-79) which led to change in the mindset of the
people.

11. (4) Restoration of Congress Party's Dominance:
During the 7th Lok Sabha elections in 1980 the
congress party again came into dominance, with two-
thirds (2/3) majority in the Lower House, securing 351
seats. During this time it again regained its control and
ruled the nation for 9 years i.e. from 1980-1989.

12. (5) Emergence of Multi-Party System at National Level and End
of Congress Dominance:
However, in 1989, the parliamentary elections brought a forceful and
extreme change in Indian politics, and the party system now shifted over
from one party dominant system to multi-party system.
Three successive minority governments were 'formed namely National
Front under the leadership of V.P. Singh, the Samajwadi Janata Dal with
Chandra Shekhar as Prime Minister and Congress Party government
headed by P. V. Narasimha Rao.
This was the beginning of multi-party system. It was more diversified
pattern of party domination in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas.
It gave rise to a federation of governments, where all merged together to
work in same structure with mutual agreement.
Due to the multi party system there was significant shift in the power
structure at the top.

13.  Now, India, the world's largest democracy, has a multi-party system. We have a parliament with
elected representatives from both state level and national level parties. The 540 members of the
Lok Sabha (the lower house) comprise the legislature, which frame the laws governing the
country.
 Any party to have a majority in parliament needs to have at least 50% or more of seats in the Lok
Sabha which has a total strength of 540 members. If a single party is unable to match the 50%
mark then, two or more parties can mutually combine to vote for a government and bring it to
existence.
 When two or more parties add up their numbers in parliament by voting together and
helping a government be created by majority, the arrangement is called a "coalition".
 Most of the times, it has been observed that all the parties join the government but if any party
votes for the government but stays out of government that party is regarded as part of the
coalition but supporting the government from outside.
 The need for a coalition is important when no single party has the majority to form a
government on its own capacity. If a coalition is not formed in such situations i.e., no
party is willing to combine then it leads to the calling for fresh elections.

14. DISADVANTAGES /
SHORTCOMINGS
OF A MULTI-PARTY
SYSTEM:

15. In India, we can say that elections are very expensive and not affordable by common
man.
The reason is a lot of money is required for allies, advertisements, etc.
However, intelligent and honest, if a person is not rich, fighting elections is very difficult.
Also the elected persons make use of political power first to serve their own interests
rather than the interest of the nation.
In India, unfortunately, we still have the caste system prevalent.
Even when it comes to politics, a large number of votes are cast on the basis of caste
and religion.
Misuse of mass media during elections to propagate their policies and programs is
also done by many political parties which is unethical.
The voting percentage in India is also very low.
Many people do not prefer to cast their votes. Almost 40- 50% do not vote.
Hence its cannot be said that the elected parties are truly representative of the whole
nation.

16. Another shortcoming of multi-party system is that it can lead to divisions in the
nation.
The multi-party system provides too many choices to the public to vote.
Therefore too many parties are formed.
Some of these parties do not even have the chance to come in power.
It also leads to confusion for people who are voting.
One more disadvantage of the system is that, in most cases, after elections, no
party is able to get the absolute majority to be able to form a government.
Hence, some parties have to come together to form a government.
This coalition government is mostly weak and unstable.
It leads to rivalry amongst the opposing parties.
There are many parties aiming for the ultimate goal of ruling the country.
This leads to unhealthy rivalry among the various parties. It can result in conflicts and
slowdown the country's growth and development.

17. Local Self-Government
(Urban and Rural):

18. In our day-to-day life we all need basic facilities such as water
supply. drainage, garbage disposal, public health and sanitation.
We many times may have seen activities as installation or
repairing of street lights, construction of roads, etc.
All these activities are performed by the local government.
It is a part of the duties of the local self-government to provide
and maintain these facilities.
Local self-governments have two types of functions, the
obligatory and the discretionary.
The following are some of its functions:

19. These functions are performed on a priority basis i.e.:
Supply of pure and wholesome water regularly.
Construction and maintenance of public streets.
Lighting and watering of plants on public streets.
Cleaning of public streets, places and sewers regularly.
The Maintenance or support of public hospitals.
The Establishment and maintenance of primary schools.
Registering of births and deaths in the region.
Removing obstructions in public streets, bridges and other places.
Providing names to streets and numbering to houses.
(1) Obligatory or the Compulsory functions:

20. (2) Discretionary Functions Or The Secondary
Functions:
These functions are fulfilled only after the obligatory functions, when the local government
has surplus to spend:
Laying out of areas.
Securing or removal of dangerous buildings or places.
Construction and maintenance of public parks, gardens, libraries,
museums, rest houses, leper homes, orphanages and rescue homes for
women.
Creating Public buildings.
Planting and maintenance of roadside and other trees.
Building Houses for low income groups.
Conducting surveys and collecting data.
Organizing public reception, public exhibition, public entertainment
Provision of transport facilities with the municipality
Promotion of welfare of municipal employees.

21. Local bodies have to be bestowed with adequate powers, authority and responsibility
to perform the functions entrusted upon them by the Act.
In India we have local self-governments for urban as well as rural areas.
The main function of the local self-governments is regional development.

22. Rural Urban
Zilla
Parisha
d
Panchay
at
Samiti
Gram
Panchay
at
Town
Panchaya
ts
City
Municipal
Council
Municipal
Corporation
Structure of Local Self Government In India

23. Urban Local
Bodies

24.  In our towns and cities, we have local government institutions that are called
Municipalities and Municipal Corporations.
 An urban area is the one which is usually a densely populated area. It includes
cities and towns. Municipal administration is necessary to provide basic civic
facilities like water supply, drainage, garbage disposal, public health, primary
education, construction and maintenance of roads and sanitation.
 As local level democratic government, the municipal institutions are elected by
the local people through municipal elections. The municipalities raise taxes and
collect fees and fines from the public. They regulate city life by laying down
regulations regarding buildings, road network, garbage disposal and many
other things. There are many developmental activities undertaken by them like
women and child development, slums improvement etc.

25.  Municipal government has made possible participative urban development and
local management of civic facilities.
 The Municipal bodies constitute of people chosen by direct election from the
regional constituencies in the municipal area. However, the Legislature of a
State may, by law, may provide for the representation in a municipal body of
persons having special knowledge or experience of municipal administration
The members of Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha and the members of Legislative
Council and Legislative Assembly of the State, representing constituencies, are
a part of the municipality, which comprise wholly or partly the Municipal area
and the Chairpersons of Wards Committees.
 The Corporation functions through various Committees - the standing
committee being the most important. The head of the Corporation is the Mayor,
elected by the Councillor for one year. A civil servant, called the Municipal
Commissioner is the administrative head.

26.  It is a common practice to divide the organisation of a corporation or a
municipality into two parts: (a) the deliberative, and (b) the executive part.
 The corporation, council or municipal board consisting of the elected
representatives of the people constitutes the deliberative part. It acts like a
legislature. It discusses on general municipal policies and performance, passes
the budget of the urban local body, frames broad policies relating to taxation,
raising of resources, pricing of services and other aspects of municipal
administration.
 It maintains and regulates the municipal administration and holds the
executives accountable for the work done and work not completed. For
instance, if water supply is not being properly managed, or there is an outbreak
of epidemic, the deliberative wing criticises the role of the administration and
suggests measures for improvement.

27.  The executive part of municipal administration is looked
after by the municipal officers and other permanent
employees.
 In the corporations, the Municipal Commissioner is the
executive head, and all other departmental officers like
engineers, finance officers, health officers etc. function
under his/her control and supervision.
 Municipal functions are generally classified into obligatory
and discretionary types:

28. (i) The obligatory (compulsory) functions are those that the municipal body must perform.
Such as:
 Water supply;
 Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, bridges, subways and other public
works;
 Street lighting;
 Drainage and sewerage;
 Garbage collection and disposal;
 Prevention and control of epidemics;
 Public vaccination;
 Maintenance of hospitals and dispensaries including maternity and child welfare
centres;
 Checking food adulteration;
 Removal of slums:
 Supply of electricity;
 Maintenance of cremation and burial grounds, and town planning.

29. (ii) The discretionary functions are those that a municipal body may
take up if it has extra funds. These are given less priority.
Some of the discretionary functions are construction and
maintenance of rescue homes and orphanages, housing for low
income groups, organising public receptions, provision of treatment
facilities, etc.
 Municipal corporations and municipalities have to raise their own
funds. They do so from a variety of sources, as provided for in the
respective municipal laws. Their own revenue sources are income
from
(i) taxes,
(ii) fees and fines
iii) earning from municipal enterprises like land, tanks, markets,

30. Rural Local Bodies
 In villages, we have local government institutions that are
called panchayati raj institutions.
 An rural area is the one which is usually a less populated
area. It does not need Municipal administration like the
urban area but still needs institutions to basic civic facilities
like water supply, drainage, garbage disposal, public health
primary education, construction and maintenance of roads
and sanitation.

31. Panchayati Raj
Institutions

32.  The concept of panchayati raj is not only based on the ancient Indian
belief that "God lives in the Panch", or panch parmeshwar, but was very
propounded by Mahatma Gandhi. He believed that power must be given
to all sections of people, and in grassroots democracy. Reaching at the
grassroot level and empowering the people and regions is possible only
through village panchayats
 The Panchayati Raj system, is established in accordance with the 73rd
Amendment. It is a three-tier structure based on direct elections at all the
three tiers: village, intermediate and district.
 Panchayati raj was not taken up seriously by the states. However, they
are now given Constitutional status.

33.  The Panchayats have been entrusted with the
implementation of schemes for economic development and
social justice.
 The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee suggested a three-tier
structure of panchayati raj. This meant that panchayati raj
should be set up at three levels. They should be provided
withsufficient powers and resources. These three tiers of
panchayati raj are:
a) Zilla Parishad At District Level
b) Panchayat Samiti At Intermediate Or Block Level

34. (a) Zilla Parishad:
 Zilla Parishad is at the district level and is the uppermost tier of the panchayati
raj system. This institution has some directly elected members whose number
differs from State to State as it is also based on population.
 It is a local government body that looks after the administration of rural areas in
a district.
 The members to the Zilla Parishad are elected by the people for the term of
five years.
Some seats are reserved for SC, ST, OBC and women.
The President and Vice President are elected for the term of two and half years.
 The main functions of the Zilla Parishad include providing of facilities and
initiating
development programmes for the rural people. It houses various committees like
Finance, Education. Health, Agriculture, Child Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Public
works,

35. (b) Panchayat Samiti:
The Panchayat Samiti is formed at the taluka level.
It is at second or middle tier of the panchayati raj which provides a link
between
Gram Panchayat and a Zilla Parishad.
It is headed by the Chairperson. In the absence of Chairperson, the Deputy
Chairperson performs his functions.
The Block Development Officer (BDO) is the executive head of the Panchayat
Samiti.
He is appointed by the State government.
The functions of the panchayat samiti are similar to that of the Zilla parishad
with the only difference that it caters to the needs at the taluka level.

36. (c) Village or Gram Panchayat:
The lower tier of the panchayati raj system in the country is the village level
panchayat.
It is known in most of the States as Gram Panchayat.
It is formed in a village fulfilling the minimum population criteria or else two or
more
villages are clubbed together.
Sarpanch is the head of the Gram Panchayat. He supervises and implements
the
resolutions passed by the Gram Panchayat. In his absence of the sarpanch the
Deputy Sarpanch looks after the affairs of the village.
The functions of the Gram Panchayat includes looking after the basic amenities
of the village.
Gramsevak is appointed by Zilla Parishad to after the routine work of the Gram
Panchayat

37. 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments Acts:
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments Acts were introduced in
the early 1990s with the motive to achieve democratic decentralization
and provide powers to local self-governments. These amendments were
to empower the local governments with authority to endow Panchayats
and Municipalities with such powers and functions necessary to enable
them to act as institutions of self
government

38. Important Features of 73rd Amendment:
The 73rd amendment to the Constitution enacted in 1992 made
compulsory provisions for the establishment, empowerment and
functioning of Panchayati Raj institutions. Some provisions of this
amendment are binding on the States while others have been left to be
decided by respective State Legislatures at their discretion. Some of
the compulsory requirements of the new law are:

39.  Organisation of Gram Sabhas;
 Creation of a three-tier Panchayati Raj Structure at the Zilla,
 Block and Village levels;
 Almost all posts, at all levels to be filled by direct elections;
 Minimum age for contesting elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions be twenty one
Years;
 The post of Chairman at the Zilla and Block levels should be filled by indirect election;
 There should be reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes in
Panchayats, in proportion to their population, and for women in Panchayats up to
One-third seats;
 State Election Commission to be set up in each State to conduct elections to
Panchayati, Raj institutions;
 The tenure of Panchayati Raj institutions is five years, if dissolved earlier, fresh
elections to be held within six months; and
 A State Finance Commission to be set up in each State every five years.

40. Features of the 74th Constitutional Amendment:
Just like the 73rd amendment Act tried to improve the rural bodies, the
recommendations and suggestions of several commissions and committees appointed
by the Central Government, to improve the urban bodies resulted in the enactment of
the Constitution (Seventy fourth Amendment) Act, 1992.
Earlier, before these amendments State Governments were free to manage their local
bodies as they wished. The Amendment made statutory provisions for the
establishment, empowerment and functioning of urban local self-governing institutions.
The main provisions of this Act can be grouped under two categories-compulsory and
voluntary. Some of the compulsory provisions which are binding on all States are:

41.  Constitution of nagar or town panchayats, municipal councils and
municipal corporations in small, big and very big urban areas
respectively;
 Reservation of seats in urban local bodies for Scheduled Castes
Scheduled Tribes roughly in proportion to their population;
 Reservation of seats for women up to one-third seats
 The State Election Commission, was constituted in order to conduct
elections in the panchayati raj bodies. It will also conduct elections
to the urban local self- governing bodies:
 The State Finance Commission, constituted to deal with financial
affairs of the panchayati raj bodies also looks into the financial
affairs of the local urban self-governing bodies:
 Tenure of urban local self-governing bodies is fixed at five years
and in case of earlier dissolution fresh elections are held within six
months

42. Some of the voluntary provisions which are not binding, but are expected to
be observed by the States are:
 Giving voting rights to members of the Union and State Legislatures in these
bodies;
 Providing reservation for backward classes;
 Giving financial powers in relation to taxes, duties, tolls and fees, etc.;
 Making the municipal bodies autonomous and devolution of powers to these
bodies to perform some or all of the functions enumerated in the Twelfth
Schedule added to the Constitution through this Act and/or to prepare plans for
economic development.

43.  In accordance with the 74th Amendment, municipal corporations and
municipalities (municipal boards or municipal committees) are now
regulated in a fairly uniform manner in all the States. However it is
important to remember that local self-government continues to be a
subject in the State List. Thus, the 73rd and 74th amendments provide
framework for the States in respect of local government.
 Thus, each State has its own Election Commission which conducts
elections to all local bodies after regular intervals of five years. Each
State has its Finance Commission to regulate finances of the local
bodies. Seats are reserved in the corporations and municipalities for
Scheduled Castes and Tribes. One-third seats are reserved for women
in all local bodies - urban and rural.

44. Implications of 73rd and 74th
Constitutional Amendments:

45.  The state governments, for a long time enjoyed power in the holding of
elections to local bodies. The 73rd and 74th amendments take away an option
that the state government previously had.
 Until the passage of the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, the states
were the only sub- national units officially recognized by the Indian constitution.
And the constitution grants individual states considerable legislative autonomy.
 Included in this list are items such as law and order, public health, agriculture,
wealth taxes, land tenure and land reforms, and most notably in the current
context, functions of local governments.
 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments date back to the Constitution (64th
Amendment) Bill, which was introduced in the parliament in July 1989. The
introduction of this bill represented the first attempt to confer constitutional
status on rural local governments.

46.  Though the bill's broader aim of empowering rural local government was greeted
favourably, the bill was ultimately not passed in the Rajya Sabha.
 The amendments were officially enacted through the issuance of government
notifications the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 (commonly referred to as
the Panchayati Raj Act) went by way of tied and untied funds under various
budgetary heads for implementing various schemes.
 In a nutshell, we can conclude that illiteracy, lack of training and prevalence of old
traditionally dominant systems were the basic reasons for the non-performance of
the local self-governments. But this should not be taken as a sign of its failure. We
must realize that due to the new system gradually consciousness is coming among
such sections of the rural community and they have raised their voice against
exploitation and excess

47.  In this regards, the regular election to Panchayat Raj will
prove to be a milestone towards enlightenment and social
political consciousness of the weaker sections.
 We can rightly say that these amendments have brought in
a lot of favourable changes in the functioning of the local
bodies and has bestowed them with a lot of powers and
duties.

48. Role Of Women In Politics

49.  Gender Responsive Governance is defined as "a process that embodies measures,
attitudes and practices of different stakeholders, both men and women, at different
levels of governance with a clear purpose to impact issues that foster women's
empowerment and promote gender equity and social justice. It is a process that
promotes and sustains the ability of women to fully participate in the governance and
development process, enhances their ability to raise critical questions about inequity
and collectivize without fear and pressure, and ensures gains from services."
 The participation of women in politics is not a new phenomenon. In ancient times
during early Vedic period women had the right to become members of Sabha and
Samiti. However their position declined considerably after the end of Vedic age and
were not only denied the political rights but were confined to the four walls of the
house.
 Women face many inequalities and are regarded inferior to men. Many women
participated in the struggle for independence as well. The struggle for independence
has seen many women revolutionaries playing an important role. The Freedom
Movement led many women into the stream of politics.

50.  Now a days, women are not only part of local and state administration, but
are coming forward to participate in national politics too. They have
achieved a very significant role in the Parliament as well. India has had a
woman Prime Minister, and a woman President, and women are entering
politics in great numbers. But for Indian women looking for a career in
politics the future is not that bright.
 But when we look at the actual statistics of the Indian woman's
participation in politics, a bitter truth emerges about the world'slargest
democracy - that women are always under represented during elections
and in party structures.
 If women actively participate, it can make democracies stronger.
Therefore, a democracy should ensure the equality and participation of all
of its citizens. Participating in a political party can help women to know
their rights and to lead to the betterment of things for themselves and for

51.  Constitution of India establishes a parliamentary system of government. It
guarantees its citizens the right to be elected, freedom of speech, freedom
to assemble and form associations, and vote.
 The Constitution of India in many ways tries to remove gender
inequalities by banning discrimination based on sex, reserving elected
positions for women, etc.
 In the Indian multi-party system with three largest parties in India, namely
the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the
Communist Party of India, other local parties have increased outreach
among women voters as India's party system has become more
competitive. This has included the creation of women's wings in the
largest parties like BJP Mahila Morcha, All India Mahila Congress and
National Federation of Indian Women.

52.  In India, reform movements before and after independence has helped women to gain
some power in politics.
 Independence they have achieved an unprecedented political breakthrough with the
reservation of seats for them in panchayats and other public bodies.
 Women find it difficult to join India politic because they are not educated. We can righty
say that Women in India have been oppressed and discriminated by men. They have
always been treated as the weaker sex. Women have been given a second class
citizenship status in many parts of India. And they still are fighting for their rights. Many
places they are fighting against the social clauses against them. Most of them look
towards the law of the government to help them.
 Women like Sarojini Naidu, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Aruna
Asaf Ali were some of the educated, elite women who played their part in the
independence movement. Motivating the other women thus, to enter politics.

53.  Indira Gandhi made a great impact on the Indian Democracy; however she did little
to promote the cause of women. However, Indira Gandhi was the first women Prime
Minister of India and she rose to be one of the most powerful people in the world.
Then there is Mamata Banerjee who came from West Bengal with the popular mass
base support she rose as a powerful political leader. Also, Sonia Gandhi who was
one of the most powerful women of the country. She is leader of Congress. But the
irony, The first women President Pratibha Patil was elected only after 50 years of
independence.
 The majority of women in the Indian Parliament are from the elite class. While their
public role challenges some stereotypes, their class position often allows them a far
greater range of options than are available to poorer women. Caste has been an
important feature of Indian society and political life. Most of the women MPs in the
Tenth Parliament were members of the higher castes. Currently only 9% of women
constitute in the Parliament.
 The reservation system for women in India was introduced first at the Panchayat
level in Karnataka first in 1983 where 25% of the seats were reserved for women.

54. Reasons Why Women Need To Be In Politics

55.  The greater the number of women in public office, articulating interests
and seen to be wielding power, the more the gender hierarchy in public
life could be weakened. In other words the social constraints (husband,
family, village) can be weakened if there are more women.
 Other women can learn from the examples and explore the strategies
that women employ to access the public sphere in the context of a socio-
political system. These women can leam from the women who have been
successful in subverting the boundaries of gender and in operating in a
very aggressive male dominated sphere.
 Throughout history, there have been women politicians revered by many
and scrutinised by many more. But prejudice could not stop all of them.

56.  Various parties have made endless efforts to induct women at various levels of party
organization. The BJP has been known to have highest percentage of women in
parliament board and the election committee. The congress party led by a woman
had only 10% of women among the candidates.
 Lalu Prasad's RJD got a woman chief minister in the form of Rabri Devi for very
obvious reasons - when Lalu faced corruption charges and had to step down, he
could trust none other than his wife Rabri.
 That she did not even know the ABC of politics mattered. The lack of both education
and political training of any sort was clearly evident in the kind of language she used
and the charges she made against the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the
Lok Sabha election campaign. Ms Jaya Jaitley's tryst with the Janata Dal was a
passing phase and she has faded into oblivion.
 Some women leaders have important place in Indian politics. Jayalalithaa as a leader
of AIADMK, Mamata Banerjee as a leader of TMC and Mayawati as a leader of BSP
are instances in point.

57.  Sonia Gandhi had initially refused but later led the Indian National Congress in 1998
after the party was left in shambles post the 1996 elections. As a leader she quickly
gained pace and became one of the most powerful women in Indian Politics.
 Vasundhara Raje, was not only elected to the 8th Rajasthan Assembly from Dholpur
but also became the vice-president of BJP's Yuva Morcha. She is currently the Chief
Minister of Rajasthan - the first female chief minister of the state.
 . Mayawati Das created history by becoming Uttar Pradesh's first Dalit chief minister
 Also, Sushma Swaraj created history by becoming Delhi's first female Chief Minister
in 1998. She has been serving as the Union Minister for External Affairs since 2014.

58.  These are the leaders who can influence the decision of their
own party as well as the course of national politics. The role of
Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi within the congress party is
well admired. Both of them well prove the fact that women in
power do not confine themselves to women issues only.
 So we can rightly say that women are surely needed in Indian
politics. Their contribution to Indian politics cannot be ignored.
Slowly their numbers are increasing and they are now more
confident about themselves.
 These points prove that there sure is a future for women in
politics in India.

59. Problems Faced By Women

60.  The preference for education is given to men and women are considered as
secondary for earning bread for the family, as a result there are fewer women in
paid work force than men. Women are paid less for the presumption that they
work less
 They are discriminated in land and property rights.
 They have to face violence inside and outside their families throughout their
lives.
 Because of these factors i.e. negative social and legal environments for women
they tend to lose confidence and ability to efficiently work in public sphere.
 Whenever women are being discussed upon, statistics demonstrates very clear
facts about condition of women in a particular region. For example in India, the
declining sex ratio in India very well depict the low gender equity status.

61.  The data also infer the increasing violence and crimes against women
and their marginalized status in employment, education and health
sectors. While literary rate for women is only 53.7, as compared to 73.3
for men. Among SC/ST only 24% SC and 18% ST females can read and
write.
 Women are considered incapable of convincing the labourers, workers,
traders, government employees and general public that their interest
and aspiration will be taken care off and duly implemented during their
tenure period.
 This is the reason that in spite of their ability in administration and the art
of political articulation they could not reach higher level in politics. Few
women reach to the position of cabinet ministers and they are generally
assigned portfolios in the social service sectors of health, education,

62. The major role of women should be strengthened in local self government or
panchayati raj system.
The experience of the women in such local and remote regions is analytically
measured in terms of social taboos, social legitimized, caste barrier and
gender bias that they face during decision making and implementation of the
laws at regional levels.
Still women participation in building self-government at the local level has
increased due to certain factors.
The village women have inculcated unanimous opinion in this regard,
approximately about 40% of women to get into political bodies come from
marginalized sections and committees.
Although women from such weaker section of society are promoted to
promote interest of the communities but this positive change in the society
provide new kind of women experiment and intensive political participation at
the grass root level.

63. Measures To Overcome The Challenges And
Increase Participation Of Women In Politics:

64.  Eliminate Discrimination Of Participation:
All the parties should take measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the
political and public life. This is the most important. All barriers that directly or indirectly
discriminate against the participation of women must be removed.
 Promote Gender Equality:
Gender equality, in particular, shall ensure that women are on equal terms with men.
Also incorporating gender issues in their political agenda, taking measures to ensure
that women can participate in the leadership of political parties on an equal basis with
men will help in resolving the issue to a certain extent. Therefore, achieving gender
equality must begin with efforts to ensure with equitable access to social protection,
as well as developing and implementing frameworks, guidelines and mechanisms to
eliminate all forms of discrimination.

65.  Encourage To Vote And Participate In Public And Political Associations:
The women although having equal voting rights do not vote in all
elections. The government must encourage the women to vote.
Women must be allowed to participate in non-governmental
organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life
of the country. This will help in building the confidence of the women. It
will also help in spreading the message to other women.
 Allow Women To Participate Fully In All Internal Policy Making
Structures:
The government must come up with initiatives that allow women to
participate fully in all internal policy-making structures. This includes
passing legislation, amending constitutions, and repealing all laws that
limit women's rights and prevent them from participating in all aspects of
society.In our country, women are limited to serving only one or two
terms as reserved seat MPs. It should be made sure that the women do

66.  Media Coverage:
Equitable media coverage for female candidates for office will
help the public know about the work of women in politics.
Traditional media and social media both can be used at
platforms which can change the mindset of stereotypes.
 Support In Development:
Advocacy campaigning, taking support from women's
organizations and civil society for women running for office.
Arranging for development programs for women interested in
entering politics; providing financial support for female
candidates; imposing heavy penalties for people who violate
the gender equality rules.

67. While we can rightly say that over the past few years, there
have been some improvements in gender equality and the level
of women's participation in politics, India still suffers from
significant inequalities and lags behind other regions of the
world in closing the gender gap. Women's political participation
is not only an asset, but is also necessary in addressing the
many complex issues in today's world, particularly political
issues, as women comprise more than half of the world's
population.