It’s Time To PARTY Page 1 of 9

Publication: The Times Of India - Chennai; Date:2009 Apr 16; Section:Dance Of

Democracy; Page Number: 9

It’s Time To PARTY

India is a land of overwhelming numbers and mindboggling diversity. And its

political parties aptly reflect both. There’s a party for all shades of views and all
causes in India. And that’s not all. Parties keep splitting and merging. It’s not
surprising, therefore, for people to lose track of the parties that shape our political
firmament. To help you make sense of it all, TOI presents a primer on the major
political parties that are in the fray this time. We hope this rough guide will make
your choice easier and more informed

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)

Origin and description:
Founded in 1972 by matinee idol M G Ramachandran who revolted against DMK chief Karunanidhi.
MGR walked out and formed Anna DMK, taking his followers away from core Dravidian principles. Was
the first regional party to join the Centre in 1979 Current Leadership: Led by J Jayalalithaa, 61, who
has emerged as MGR’s heir Performance: Best; 1998 —18 seats. Worst; 1996 & 2004 — 0 seats
Prospects: Expected to do well. The extent of its success will be one of the factors that decides which
combination of forces forms the government

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

Origin and political description: Three regional Congress bosses, Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra, P A
Sangma in Meghalaya and Tariq Anwar in Bihar revolted against Sonia Gandhi’s leadership on her
foreign origin in 1999. They were expelled from the party and formed NCP. NCP calls itself progressive
and secular, its economic thinking is populist
Current leadership:
Sharad Pawar Best: Nine seats in 2004 in alliance with Congress; worst: Seven in 1999 Prospects: It’s
support to Congress is vital for UPA to retain power. But Pawar has also been flirting with third front

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 2 of 9

Trinamool Congress
Origin and political description: Mamata Banerjee, expelled from Congress over differences with senior
leaders, estblished the party in 1997. It’s a populist, staunch anti-CPM, party that has supped with
both BJP and Congress in West Bengal Current leadership: Mamata Banerjee Best: 1998, seven seats;
Worst: 2004, one seat as part of NDA Prospects: Has electoral alliance with Congress and likely to
pose a major challenge to CPM. After driving out Tata Nano from Singur, and Nandigram agitation,
Mamata has positiopositioned herself for growing non-Left votes

Samajwadi Party (SP)

Origin and political description: SP began in 1992, after Janata Dal, that had lived its dream moment
as bulwark of anti-Congressism, began to come apart. Party draws strength from post-Mandal, post-
Ayodhya mobilization of OBCs, especially Yadavs & Muslims of UP Current leadership: Mulayam Singh
Yadav Best: 35 MPs in 2004; worst: 16 MPs in 1996 Prospects: Likely to lose its 2004 tally but may
get enough MPs to remain relevant. Its fourth front experiment may get it a crucial role in a ‘kichdee’
government at the Centre

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)

Origin and political description: In 1997, when Sharad Yadav, then president of Janata Dal, expelled
his predecessor Lalu Prasad over corruption charges. The party’s mass base has traditionally been
Yadavs and Muslims — relatively united political segments of Bihar’s population Current leadership:
Lalu Prasad Best: 21 LS seats in 2004; Worst: 7 in 1999 Prospects: With its see-saw performance
graph and poor performance in the 2005 assembly elections, RJD isn’t expected to match its 2004
show. But may still remain relevant

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 3 of 9

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)

Origin and political description: In 2000, after Ramvilas Paswan broke free from JD(U). Political
chameleon, Paswan has been in power with both BJP-led NDA and Congress-led UPA governments
Current leadership:
Ramvilas Paswan Best Performance: 4 seats in the first LS elections it contested in Bihar, 2004
Prospects: As part of fourth front, aims to be kingmaker. LJP has considerable following among Bihar
Dalits. How the alliance with RJD works in Bihar remains to be seen

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)

Origin and political description: Devi Lal’s son Om Prakash Chautala founded the party in 1999. It’s a
pro-farmer, populist party restricted to Haryana in terms of mass base Current leadership: Om
Prakash Chautala, Abhay Chautala Best: 1999, five seats; worst: Zero in 2004 Prospects: Having
learned from its past blunders, the party hopes to recover some of the lost territory now that its
alliance with BJP is off the ground

Shiv Sena
Origin and political description: Even after Maharashtra was carved out of Bombay presidency in 1960,
economic clout remained with Gujaratis and Marwaris. White-collar jobs were cornered by Tamils.
Balasaheb Thackeray began the son-of-soil campaign for jobs for Marathis and created Shiv Sena in
1966 on this plank
Current leadership:
Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray Best: 1999: 15 seats; Worst: It went without win in several
LS elections Prospects: Hopes antiincumbency will kick in. If it does, could be a key player

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 4 of 9

Biju Janata Dal (BJD)

Origin and political description: Founded in 1997, after Janata Dal patriarch Biju Patnaik’s son Naveen
broke the party to float BJD. It’s a populist party that ended its 11-year-old marriage with BJP to flirt
with the Left and the third Front Current leadership: Naveen Patnaik Best: 2004, 11 seats; Worst:
1998, 9 seats Prospects: Is hobnobbing with third fronters like CPM, CPI and NCP, but also keeps
options open as the state will see triangular contests between BJD, Congress

Communist Party of India (M)

Origin and political description: Formed in 1964, as a result of the struggle against revisionism and
sectarianism within Indian communists represented by CPI. It remains anti-economic reforms,
secular-progressive Current leadership: Prakash Karat Best: 2004, 43 MPs; worst: 1967, 19 MPs
Prospects: Expected to suffer big losses in its strongholds of West Bengal and Kerala; but the setbacks
may still not thwart the party’s ambition to play kingmaker again

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)

Origin and political description: Formed in 1972. JMM became politically significant after it won three
LS seats in 1989 and later bailed out P V Narasimha Rao’s minority government in 1992. Like other
parties in Jharkhand, JMM grew out of demand for separate Jharkhand state. It’s part of UPA
Leadership: Shibu Soren Best: 6 LS seats in 1991; Worst: No score in 1998 and 1999 Prospects:
Downhill after party boss Shibu Soren threw in the towel to a virtual unknown Raja Peter in January
2009 assembly bypolls

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 5 of 9

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)

Origin and political description: Former Union minister Ajit Singh floated RLD in 1999. It’s a maverick
party that believes in shifting alliances in the ever-changing political landscape. Initially spurned BJP’s
advances and later joined it Current leadership: Ajit Singh Best: Three seats in 2004. Worst: Two
seats in 1999 Prospects: Represents western UP Jats. RLD is strong in seven seats and likely to
improve its tally thanks to its pre-poll alliance with BJP. Had contested the 2004 polls in alliance

Janata Dal (Secular)

Origin and description:
One of the rumps of the original Janata Dal, JD(S) came into being in 1999 after a section of the
leadership broke away to form JD(U) and join NDA. Influence restricted to Karnataka, mainly among
Vokkaliga caste. Current leadership: Ruled by the Gowda clan, former PM H D Deve Gowda and son
Kumaraswamy Performance: Best; 2004 — 3 seats. Worst; 1999 — 1 seat Prospects: Expected to
more or less retain its 2004 tally, could influence results in certain pockets of Karnataka

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)

Origin and political description:
K Chandrashekar Rao, a grassroots leader, quit TDP to form TRS in 2001, making it a vehicle for a
separate Telangana state. Won five LS and 26 assembly seats in 2004 on the issue of separatism. It
then joined UPA, ensuring Telangana was mentioned in CMP. When UPA failed to create Telanagana,
TRS withdrew support to the government Current leadership: K Chandrashekar Rao Performance:
Contested only once, in 2004 Prospects: Good, considering it will gain from continuing its separate
Telangana campaign

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 6 of 9

Indian National Congress (INC)

Origin and political description: Founded by A O Hume in 1885, Congress led the freedom struggle,
going on to become the premier party of independent India. But it has since lost its pre-eminence
because it’s no more seen as the ‘banyan’ which represents the interests of different sections of
society. It’s a Centrist party that sways between economic right and political left Current leadership:
Sonia Gandhi Best performance: 404 MPs in 1984; worst performance: 112 in 1998 Prospects:
Leading the UPA, it hopes to again emerge as the rallying point of ‘secular’ forces

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)

Origin and political description: Founded by S Ramadoss in the late 1980s, PMK is a caste-based party
representing the OBC Vanniyar community in Tamil Nadu. It means ‘Toiling People’s Party’. As a party
representing a particular caste, PMK’s strength multiplies when it aligns with a major party Current
leadership: S Ramadoss is supreme leader Performance: Best; 2004 — 6 seats. Worst; 1989, 91 & 96
— 0 seats Prospects: After maximizing its gains in alliance with DMK, party has switched sides and is
now in the Jaya camp

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)

Origin and political description: Formed in 1985, after the historic Rajiv Gandhi-authored Assam
Accord. Its leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was elected youngest CM of the country. Its agenda initially
was student agitation against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis. AGP is now part of BJP-led NDA. It
was earlier in the United Front govt
Current leadership:
Chandra Mohan Patowary Best: 5 seats in 1996; worst: 0 in 1998 and 1999 Prospects: Got only 2
seats in 2004 general elections. Tally expected to go up

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 7 of 9

National Conference (NC)

Origin and political description: Founded in 1939 by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. It’s a left of centre
party that broke away from Muslim Conference after Sheikh met Jawaharlal Nehru Current leadership:
Omar Abdullah Best: 1999, six seats; worst: 2004, two seats Prospects: Although allied to Congress,
it faces tough challenge from PDP. The party, contesting three seats in the Valley, is unlikely to
improve its show as PDP looks set to retain its stronghold of Anantnag. In Srinagar, NC has fielded
party patron Farooq Abdullah

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)

Origin and description:
Founded in 1949 by C N Annadurai, DMK began as a social movement against upper caste domination
in erstwhile Madras state and quickly developed a separatist agenda. Gave up demand for separate
Dravida Nadu in 1962 Current Leadership: Aging party president and CM, Muthuvel Karunanidhi,
firmly in control Performance: Best; 1967 25 seats. Worst; 1989 & 91 0 seat Prospects: A resurgent
ADMK-PMK combine likely to significantly reduce DMK’s 2004 tally of 16 seats

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Origin and political description: BJP originated in 1980 as a successor to Bharatiya Jana Sangh which
was founded in 1951. Both BJS and BJP were backed by RSS. In power at the Centre between 1998-
2004, has governments in 6 states, and 2 more, in Bihar and Punjab, with allies. It remains a Hindu
nationalist party Current leadership: PM candidate L K Advani; party chief Rajnath Singh Best: 1999,
182 seats; Worst: 1984, two seats Prospects: Neck-andneck with Congress, with a possibility of
nosing ahead towards the finish

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 8 of 9

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

Origin and political description: Born in 1984 when Kanshi Ram gave political shape to SC mobilization
under BAMCEF and DS-4. The party has since grown in UP by adding OBCs and upper castes to its
base. BSP began with abusing upper castes; now talks about Sarva Samaj or entire society Current
leadership: Mayawati Performance: 2004, 19 MPs; Worst performance: Went seat-less in some
elections Prospects: Mayawati could be crucial to govt formation as any party with a chunk of 30-plus
MPs would in case of hung parliament

Communist Party of India (CPI)

Origin and political description: CPI is the oldest communist party in India established in 1925 in
Kanpur. Though its influence has waned considerably down the decades, it remains devoted to
socialism and communism Current ledership: A B Bardhan Best: 1967 & 1971: 23 MPs; Worst 1984, 6
MPs Prospects: Playing second fiddle to CPM, CPI faces its biggest challenge this year. Tally might be
down to single digit

Janata Dal (United) (JD-U)

Origin and political description: Founded in 2003, after a merger between JD(U) and Samata Party.
Like its bitter political opponent RJD, JD(U) claims its roots in JP’s 1974 Sampoorna Kranti. It’s an
important player in NDA
Current Leadership:
Sharad Yadav, Nitish Kumar Best: Eight seats in 2004 which is it’s only LS polls so far
Prospects:
Considering the expected decline in RJD’s seats, JD(U) quite likely to improve on its tally

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
It’s Time To PARTY Page 9 of 9

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)

Origin and political description: In 1920, by Sardar Sarmukh Singh. It remains a Sikh religiopolitical
party, a voice of Sikh (Panthic) cause that believes in religio-politics mix Current leadership: Sukhbir
Badal, Prakash Singh Badal Best: 1977, nine seats; worst: 1971, one seat Prospects: While some
pollsters said SAD was likely to lose ground to Congress, the shoe tossed at P Chidambaram by an
angry Sikh scribe that hit Congress’s Jagdish Tytler may help SAD

Telugu Desam Party

Origin and description:
Founded as an alternative to Congress in Andhra Pradesh by actor-turned-politician N T Rama Rao in
1982. Rode to power in the state within a record 9 months of formation. Party has played key role in
formation of all non-Congress governments at the Centre
Current Leadership: TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, son-in-law of NTR, has led the party ever
since he staged a coup in 1995
Performance: Best; 1984 30. Worst; 1989 2
Prospects: Tough opponent in Cong in LS and assembly polls. Andhra seen as potential game-changer
this election

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
ALSO RUNNING Page 1 of 3

Publication: The Times Of India - Chennai; Date:2009 Apr 16; Section:Dance Of

Democracy; Page Number: 9

ALSO RUNNING

ANDHRA PRADESH

All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM)

Asaduddin Owaissi represents Hyderbad (Charminar). MIM was founded in 1927. Reinvented
on the plank of Muslim upliftment in 1958 by Maulana Abdul Wahid Owaisi. His son Sultan
Salahuddin Owaisi was LS member from 1984 to 2004; succeeded by son Asaduddin in 14th
LS. In fray this time

Praja Rajyam

First polls for Andhra party floated in 2008 by Telugu cinema superstar Chiranjeevi in
Hyderabad. Supports formation of fourth front with Samajwadi Party. Suffered setback with
accusations of selling tickets and close members quitting

WEST BENGAL

All India Forward Bloc

The party founded by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939 after his acrimonious exit from the
Indian National Congress has had multiple fractures since Netaji’s controversial death in the
1940s. Rural Bengal is its only base with weak presence in pockets of Andhra Pradesh,
Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Tripura. In WB, new faces in fray contesting on 2 seats as part of
Left

Revolutionary Socialist Party

Led by Joachim Baxla. Has presence in West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala, branches in 18
states. Founded in 1940, won 3 seats in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections as well. Fresh
candidates this time, contesting on 3 seats as part of Left Front

MIZORAM

Mizo National Front (MNF)

Represented by Pu Vanlalzawma. Founded in 1959 as Mizo Famine Front by the legendary

rebel leader, P Laldenga, in protest against the Centre’s inaction during a famine in the Mizo
areas of Assam state. The outfit was renamed in 1961 and remained an underground
organization till the signing of the Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986. Statehood in 1987 saw
Laldenga become chief minister. After a 10-year rule, MNF’s Zoramthanga lost to Congress
in 2008 assembly elections. For the Lok Sabha, the fight is between MNF’s H Lallungmuana
and three others — 1 Congress, 2 Independents — for the lone seat in the state

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
ALSO RUNNING Page 2 of 3

JAMMU & KASHMIR

People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Led by Mehbooba Mufti, who represented Anantnag till she resigned in January. Party founded in 1999
by her father, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who was Union home minister when another daughter,
Rubaiya, was kidnapped by militants in the early 1990s. Mehbooba not in fray this time. Candidates in
Srinagar, Baramulla & Anantnag

KERALA

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)

E Ahmad, MoS, external affairs, and national president, IUML represents Ponnani, Kerala. Party
founded in 1948 to achieve constitutional rights for Muslims. Northern Kerala stronghold, aligned with
Congress (UDF) in the state. Delimitation has changed picture, Ahmad fielded from Malappuram this
time. IUML contests on 8 seats in Karnataka after a gap of 13 years

SIKKIM

Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF)

Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling founded the party in 1993. For the Lok Sabha elections this
time, SDF has fielded P D Rai, formerly of State Planning Commission. Ever since Chamling replaced
long-serving state chief minister, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, SDF has emerged as the largest party in

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009
ALSO RUNNING Page 3 of 3

Sikkim. It has been the ruling party since 1994. In the last state elections in 2004, SDF won 31 of the
32 assembly seats

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/APA26300/PrintArt.asp?SkinFolder=pastissues2 03/05/2009