After Gujarat results, AAP set for upgrade: What it takes to become a ‘national party’ in India

Source: The post is based on the article “After Gujarat results, AAP set for upgrade: What it takes to become a ‘national party’ in India” published in Indian Express on 9th December 2022

What is the News?

The Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) has got 5 seats in Gujarat but its vote share was close to 13%, which meant it is on track to be recognised as a national party by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

What is a National Party?

The ECI has laid down the technical criterion for a party to be recognised as a national party. A party may gain or lose national party status from time to time, depending on the fulfilment of these laid-down conditions.

Criteria to be recognized as National Party: A ​​political party would be considered a national party if: a) It is ‘recognised’ as state party in four or more states; or b) if its candidates polled at least 6% of total valid votes in any four or more states in the last Lok Sabha or Assembly elections and have at least four MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls; or c) if it has won at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than three states.

What are the current National Parties?

As of now, the ECI has recognised eight parties as national parties — the BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and National People’s Party(NPP) which was recognised in 2019. 

What are the criteria for recognition as a State Party?

Click Here to read