Natioanl Democratic Alliance
NDA was first formed in 1998 and again came to power in 1999 Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It again seeks the mandate in 2004.
NDA is an alliance involving various national and regional political parties led by the BJP to form the government. The NDA had promised to end political instability created between 1991
and 1999 and that it did under an able leadership. It’s common manifesto in the 1999 elections was called, ‘An Agenda for a Proud, Prosperous India’. NDA defines its vision as ‘India as a developed nation.
The political parties currently a part of NDA are- Bharatiya Janata Party, Samata Party, Shiv Sena, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), DMK , Telagu Desam Party (TDP), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Lok Shakti Marumalarchi Deravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Akali Dal Arunanchal Congress (AC), Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Jantrantrik Bahujan Samaj Party, Loktrantik Congress.
The main agendas for the elections are
* It’s goal is to get 8 to 10% GDP growth rate on a sustainable basis over the next five years. The NDA is commitment to make India an economic superpower
* Bridge the gap between rural and urban India.
* Road connectivity of the remotest of the places
Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)
Jana Sangha was a political party founded in 1951 which later came to be known as Bhartiya Janata Party. Throughout the Congress regime it remained one of the major opposition parties, guiding the rout to be taken by the opposition.Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During 1986 elections it made it’s presence felt in a string way and after that the popularity has been rising by the day.
In 1996 it emerged as a single largest party in a hung parliament and then in 1999 came into power as a part of NDA Alliance under the leadership of Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The BJP
led NDA alliance completed its five year regime in year 2004.
It’s guiding philosophy of integral humanism was first presented by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya in 1965. The party clearly defines its organisation and objectives and commitments.
The aim of the party is to establish a democratic state guaranteeing equality of opportunity and liberty of faith and expression. It commits itself to ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’ and value based
politics. The Party stands for decentralisation of economic and political power.
The Party pledges to build up India as a strong and prosperous nation with a progressive and enlightened in outlook.
The main agendas for the elections are
* Making India a Developed Nation and a Great Power by 2020
* Broadening and deepening of economic reforms, based on a self-reliant approach
* To fulfill the basic needs in education, healthcare, housing, cultural development.
* Commitment to women’s all-round empowerment · Intensifying dialogue with Pakistan to find a lasting solution to all bilateral issues
Indian National Congress
The oldest Indian political party, the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 and was the most powerful force behind the country’s struggle for independence It also held power for most years after independence. The party has also been instrumental in the making or fall of non-Congress governments at the centre when it was out of power.
Sonia GandhiThe Party boasts of the leadership of what can be said the first political family of the country. The dynasty goes back to the time of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. His daughter, Indira Gandhi, active during the years of the freedom struggle was the natural heir to the throne. The suspension of democratic institutions during emergency earned her many critics and also led to the birth of many anti-Congress factions. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in
1984. Rajiv Gandhi, then a political novice, swept the polls through the apparent sympathy wave. His tragic assassination again brought the Congress to power in 1991, with PV Narasimha
Rao as the Prime Minister. The Congress popularity nose-dived mainly due to the involvement of its leaders, including Narasimha Rao, in the vote buying case during a confidence vote and
other corruption charges.
In 1999 Mrs. Sonia Gandhi entered politics and took the reins of the party. This was the time when the party most needed the support of the Nehru -Gandhi Family. Now she has matured in the game and is again leading the party in General Elections
2004. The party in her leadership plans the comeback to power.
The main agendas for the elections are
* Generation of more jobs
* Eradication of poverty
* Step up public investment in agriculture
* One-third reservation for women
* Commission for the problems of North Eastern States
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
The BSP was formed in 1984 by Kanshi Ram who has remained party leader ever since. The party emerged from Kanshi Ram’s earlier activity promoting the interests of Scheduled Caste government employees. Kanshi Ram was able to promote the organisation in the states
of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Although the BSP is recognised by the Election Commission as a national party it effectively functions on certain North Indian states
only. It’s ideology is based on the argument that the majority are oppressed by the select upper class. It aims to change this using the government power.
Mayawati and Kanshi Ram are the two key figures of the party.
The BSP first entered the election fray in 1984 but didnot do well. It started to rise in the post alliances era. While in power in 1995, the BSP was clouded in several controversies.
Samajwadi Party
Samajwadi Party came into existences on 4th October 1992 . Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav was elected party’s first president . The Party Vice President is Shri Janeshwar Mishra
Mulayam Singh Yadav has been in politics since 1967. He has been the chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh – 1993-95, and Union Defence Minister 1996-1998.
Other important leaders are Amar Singh, Ram gopal Yadav and Raj Babbar
In the 13th Lok Sabha, it was the 5th largest party with 27 mambers
Samajwadi Party stands for Equality and Prosperity of all. It is deadly against communal forces. Samajwadi Party is in favour of ‘Indo Pak Bangladesh Mahasangh’. Party believes in democratic socialism and opposes uncontrolled entry Of Multinational companies to India,
Party believes that Agriculture, Small and Medium scale Industry is the backbone of Indian Economy and hence every assistance should be given to these sectors.
The Main Agendas for the Elections
«» Provision for reservation in jobs, medical and technical institutions
«» Reconstitution of the Shanti Suraksha Bal
«» Remove illiteracy amongst Muslims
«» Creating more employment opportunities and removing poverty
Samata Party
Samata Party was formed in 1994 when a faction lead by George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar broke away from Janta Dal. The reason was that the party ideology had shifted to castism .
George Fernades rose to fame during 1977- 79 for his opposition to multinational companies. He was the key figure behind packing off Coca cola from India then. He campaigned against BJP calling it a communal party.
In 1996 Samata Party came into alliance with BJP and won on eight seats, six in Bihar and one each in Uttar Pradesh and Orissa. Before this it was largely based in Bihar only. In 1998 elections
again in alliance with BJP it won twelve seats, ten from Bihar and two from Uttar Pradesh.
Since then the two leaders George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar were Union Ministers in the NDA government; George Fernandes the Defence Minister and Nitish Kumar the Railway Minister.
More recently with yet another split in Janta Dal, SP has been able to rope in Janta Dal Led by Sharad Yadav, Lok Shakti led by Ramakrishna Hegde and Samata Party on a single platform
for the NDA.
The main agendas for the elections are
«» Oppose and end communalism
«» Eradicate corruption at all levels
«» increased security of the nation
