Internal Party Democracy in India

• 29 Oct 2025

For Prelims: Election Commission of India (ECI), Representation of the People Act, 1951, Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, Law Commission.                                                      

For Mains: Internal Democracy in Political Parties — its importance, the legal and institutional framework, causes of its absence, and the way forward for strengthening democratic functioning within parties. 

Source: IE

Why in News?

Internal party democracy in India is eroding, as dynastic politics and power concentration within political families have become prevalent across both national and regional parties.

What is Internal Party Democracy?

• About: It refers to the organization, structure, and functioning of political parties in alignment with democratic values, directly influencing how candidates are chosen, leaders are elected, policies are formulated, and finances are managed.
• Key Components:

• Legal and Institutional Framework:
  • Representation of the People Act, 1951: Section 29A mandates that all political parties must commit to the principles of secularism, socialism, and democracy—with “democracy” understood to imply internal democracy, though it remains undefined.
  • Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968: The Election Commission of India (ECI) settles disputes between rival party factions during a split, usually giving the party symbol to the group with majority support from elected legislators and office-bearers, rather than to heirs of political dynasties.
  • 255th Law Commission Report: It stresses internal democracy through rules on party structure, elections, and candidate selection, empowering the ECI to de-register parties for non-compliance.
  • National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC): It called for a comprehensive law to regulate the registration and functioning of political parties and alliances in India.

What is the Need of Internal Party Democracy in India?

• Checks Dynasticism & Nepotism: Reduces the concentration of power within a single family or a small clique and keeps checks on dynastic politics. 
  • Dynastic politics refers to a system where power and leadership are inherited within a single family across generations, allowing relatives of political leaders to succeed and dominate key positions.
  • As per a study, there are 1,174 dynasts from 989 families among the 5,294 current legislators (MPs, MLAs, MLCs) in India. The trend is present in every major party.
• Strengthens Democracy: Acts as a school for democracy, fostering a democratic culture among citizens. 
• Promotes Meritocracy: Allows dedicated and popular grassroots workers to rise through the ranks based on merit and member support. 
• Enhances Representation: Ensures the party remains connected to the aspirations of its members and the public, making it more representative. 
• Promotes Party Unity: Inclusive decision-making can lead to greater consensus and reduce factional fights.

What Factors Contribute to the Lack of Internal Party Democracy?

• Concentration of Power: Power is centralized in a single leader or small “High Command,” undermining local units and fostering a culture of loyalty over ideology, which suppresses dissent and internal debate.
• Nepotism & Favouritism: Political parties often function as family enterprises, where leadership is inherited, party access is controlled by established dynasties, and the party’s identity merges with a single family.
• Legal Loopholes: India lacks a legal framework mandating internal democracy in political parties, with no requirement for democratic internal elections in candidate selection — a major legal gap.
• Electoral Considerations: Parties justify centralized control, claiming that strong dynastic leaders offer a clear brand and unity, while avoiding internal elections prevents factionalism and protects electoral prospects.
• Lack of Demand from Within: Feudal culture reinforces loyalty to dominant families, while reform advocates risk suspension or expulsion. 

How can Internal Party Democracy be Fostered in India?

• Institutional Reforms within Parties: Parties should adopt a transparent constitution, ensure regular internal elections with independent oversight, and promote deliberative forums for genuine member participation in decision-making.
  • The Dinesh Goswami (1990) and Indrajit Gupta (1998) Committees urged for greater transparency in political party functioning.
• Legislative Reforms: Amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to mandate transparent, democratic candidate selection through internal elections and impose graded penalties like fines, de-recognition, or symbol withdrawal for non-compliance.
• Civil Society Interventions: Civil society needs to regularly track and rank parties on internal democracy, raise public awareness through campaigns, and leverage voter opinion to make party democracy an electoral issue.
• Behavioral Shifts: Parties should reward grassroots workers based on performance and member support, not lineage, and empower members to demand democratic rights and ensure leadership accountability.

Conclusion

The pervasive nature of dynastic politics, enabled by weak intra-party democracy, undermines meritocracy and equitable representation in India. Strengthening it requires robust legislative reforms, institutional accountability within parties, and sustained pressure from civil society to foster a truly democratic political culture.

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. "Dynastic politics is both a cause and a consequence of weak intra-party democracy in India." Critically examine this statement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Internal Party Democracy (IPD)?

IPD means transparent, member-driven processes for choosing leaders and candidates, regular internal elections, and accountability mechanisms within political parties.

2. Which committees recommended greater transparency in the functioning of political parties in India?

The Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990) and the Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) recommended greater transparency in the functioning of political parties in India.

3. Which laws mention or relate to party democracy?

Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and ECI rules require party constitutions, but no binding law mandates implementation of internal democracy.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)   

Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements: (2021)

1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. 
2. In the 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. 
3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her winning in all the constituencies. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only   

(b) 2 only  

(c) 1 and 3   

(d) 2 and 3  

Ans: (b) 

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Mains 

Q. Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or State Legislature under The Representation of the People Act, 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision? Refer to the case laws. (2022)