party expanded its support in the south, east, the north-east and to rural areas. Came to power in as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) including several regional parties. Emerged as the largest party with members in the Lok Sabha elections. Currently leads the ruling NDA government at the Centre.
Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M): Founded in . Believes in Marxism-Leninism. Supports s o c i a l i s m , s e c u l a r i s m a n d democracy and opposes imperialism and communalism. Accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for securing the objective of socio-economic justice in India.
Enjoys strong support in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, especially among the poor, factory workers, farmers, agricultural labourers and the intelligentsia. Critical of the new economic policies that allow free flow of foreign capital and goods into the country. Was in power in West Bengal without a break for years. In the Lok Sabha elections, it won about .
per cent of votes and seats. Indian National Congress (INC): Popularly known as the Congress Party. One of the oldest parties of the world. Founded in and has experienced many splits.
Played a dominant role in Indian politics at the national and state level for several decades after India’s Independence. Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern secular democratic republic in India. Ruling party at the centre till and then from to . After , its support declined, but it continues to be present throughout the country, cutting across social divisions.
A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation, the party espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities. The INC supports new economic reforms but with a human face. Leader of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from to . In the Lok Sabha election, it won .
% votes and seats. National People’s Party (NPP): Formed in July under the leadership of P.A