What are regional political parties? How they have helped in strengthening of democracy?
The state parlies are commonly referred to as regional parties. Some of these parties are all India parties that happen to have succeeded only in some states. Parties like the Samajwadi Party, Samata Party and Rashtriya Janta Dal have national level political organisation. Some parties like Biju Janta Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front and Mizo National Front are conscious about their state identity.
Regional parties made Parliament of India politically more and more diverse. No one national party is able to secure on its own a majority in Lok Sabha. As a result, the national parties are compelled to form alliances with state parties. Since 1996, nearly every one of the state parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country. Regional parties are more sensitive to the specific interest of a region and protect and preserve the regional identity.