The 2024 general elections in India are noteworthy for the record number of candidates contesting for the Lok Sabha, with 8,360 individuals in the fray, the highest since 1996. This phenomenon underscores the evolving dynamics of India’s democratic process, characterized by a burgeoning number of political parties and candidates. While on the surface, this proliferation appears to reflect a vibrant and inclusive democracy, it also raises critical questions about the underlying motivations, systemic challenges, and the broader implications for governance and electoral integrity.
The Rise in Number of Candidates
The 2024 elections mark a significant increase in the number of contestants compared to the 2019 elections, which had 8,039 candidates. Historical data reveals that the number of candidates has grown exponentially since India’s first general election in 1952, which saw 1,874 candidates for 489 seats. By 1996, the number of candidates peaked at 13,952, driven by a complex interplay of political, social, and economic factors.
Drivers of Proliferation
Several factors contribute to the surge in political parties and candidates. One key driver is the declining dominance of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to a fragmented political landscape where regional and smaller parties seek to assert their influence. The assertion of various political identities—caste, regional, and religious—also plays a significant role in this fragmentation.
India’s first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system further incentivizes the formation of multiple parties. In an FPTP system, a candidate needs only a plurality of votes to win, making it possible for smaller parties to secure victories in a fragmented vote base. This system encourages the formation of niche parties aiming to capture specific segments of the electorate.
Financial incentives also play a crucial role. Forming a political party offers various benefits, including income tax exemptions and opportunities to convert black money into white. Additionally, political parties can leverage their status to gain favorable treatment from government officials and secure financial gains through strategic alliances and candidate withdrawals.
Financial Disparities
The financial aspects of Indian elections are stark. The BJP and INC dominate campaign spending, with combined expenditures reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. In contrast, the majority of smaller parties operate with significantly lower budgets, often less than $1 million. This disparity highlights the challenges faced by smaller parties in competing against financially powerful opponents, limiting their ability to make a substantial impact despite their numbers.
The Role of Regional Parties
Despite the overwhelming presence of smaller parties, regional parties play a pivotal role in India’s political ecosystem. Parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) wield significant influence in their respective states. These regional parties often act as power brokers in coalition governments, holding the balance of power and influencing national policies.
The coalition era in Indian politics underscores the importance of regional parties. Since the late 1980s, coalition governments have become the norm, with major national parties often relying on regional allies to form stable governments. This has given regional parties considerable leverage, enabling them to punch above their weight in national politics.
Challenges and Criticisms
The proliferation of political parties and candidates poses several challenges. Managing elections with such a large number of contestants is logistically complex and expensive. The Election Commission of India faces significant challenges in ensuring smooth electoral processes, maintaining law and order, and preventing malpractices.
The efficacy of many smaller parties is also questionable. A majority of these parties contest elections only once, failing to establish a sustained political presence. This transient nature suggests that many parties are formed for opportunistic reasons rather than genuine political representation. The ease of registering new parties exacerbates this issue, with minimal regulatory oversight leading to a persistent but inactive party base.
The Dominance of Major Parties
Despite the surge in the number of candidates and parties, the core political contest remains between the BJP and INC. Over the past ten elections, these two parties have consistently secured a combined vote share of around 52%. Their dominance is reinforced by substantial financial resources and robust nationwide organizational structures, making it challenging for smaller parties and independents to compete effectively.
Independent candidates and smaller parties face significant hurdles in gaining traction. The financial and organizational might of the major parties means that the chances of electoral success for independents and small parties are minimal. The 2019 elections demonstrated this, with the majority of seats won by the BJP, INC, and a few influential regional parties.
The Road Ahead
The proliferation of political parties and candidates in India’s 2024 general elections reflects a complex and evolving democratic landscape. While the increase in the number of candidates indicates a vibrant democratic process, it also highlights significant challenges related to financial disparities, regulatory oversight, and the efficacy of smaller parties.
Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive electoral reforms. Strengthening the regulatory framework for party registration, increasing transparency in campaign financing, and ensuring a level playing field for all parties are essential steps toward enhancing the integrity of India’s electoral process. Moreover, fostering a political culture that prioritizes substantive policy debates over opportunistic alliances can help strengthen democratic governance.
India’s democracy is at a crossroads, where the need to balance inclusivity with efficacy and integrity is more critical than ever. As the world’s largest democracy, India must navigate these complexities to ensure that its electoral processes truly reflect the will of its diverse population, fostering a political environment that promotes genuine representation and effective governance.
