National Party (Definition in India)

In September 2016, Election Commission of India (ECI) has granted national party status to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) Party led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. With this, there are seven National parties in India viz. BJP, Congress, BSP, NCP, CPI, CPM and Trinamool Congress.

About National Party

Election Commission of India (ECI) is only the authority that grants National Party or State Party status to any political party in the country. A political party is able to get status of National Party when it:

• Secures at least 6% of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, in the Lok Sabha election or to the State Legislative Assembly and (ii) In addition, it wins at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha from any State or States. OR
• Wins at least 2% seats in the Lok Sabha (i.e., 11 seats in the existing Lok Sabha having 543 members) and these members are elected from at least three different States.OR
• It is recognised as a State party in at least four States.

10 years term to review the status of political parties

In August 2016, the election commission has made changes in clause 6C of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 to review the status of political parties every 10 years, instead of present norm of five years. For instance, the status of a party (either national or state party) that did not perform up to the required criteria in 2014 election will be reviewed in 2024. The changes has given major reprieve to three political parties (BSP, NCP and CPI) which were facing possibility of losing their “national party” status and all benefits associated with it despite not having met criteria in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.