(a) Explain the importance of political parties in democracy.

(i) Political parties are the most visible institution in a democracy.

(ii) They reflect fundamental political division in society.

(iii) Political parties contest elections.

(iv) Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters chose them.

(v) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country.

(vi) Parties form and run government.

(vii) Parties play the role of opposition by voicing different views and criticizing the government for its wrong policies.

(viii) Parties shape public opinion.

(ix) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.

(b) Why did India adopt the multiparty system? Explain with suitable arguments.

(i) Party system is not something any country can choose. Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special circumstances.

(ii) India adopted multi-party system due to its social diversity.

(iii) India has vast geographical diversity. So, in such a large country diversity is not absorbed by two or even three parties.

(iv) Multiparty system allows a variety of interest and opinions to enjoy political representation.