AAP Is Now A National Party. What Does It Take To Get The Status? What Impact Does It Have?

With AAP getting the 'national party' tag on Monday, here's a look at what it takes to get that status and what benefits it brings along with it.

Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party has bagged the 'national party' status and certain benefits along with it.

In India, political parties are classified into two categories: recognized national parties and recognized state parties. The Election Commission of India has laid down the criteria for parties to be recognised as national parties in its 'Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019' handbook. 

The recognition of a political party as a national party is a significant milestone in India's political landscape, as it grants the organisation certain privileges and perks. Usually larger political parties get the tag of a national party, but smaller parties are granted the status, too, if they fulfil the criteria.

When does the Election Commission of India grant a party 'national' status?

To be granted national status, a political party must fulfil the following criteria:

• The party must secure at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in at least four states in a Lok Sabha or state assembly election. In addition, it must win at least four Lok Sabha seats from any state or states.
  
  
• If it does not fulfil the above criterion, it must have won at least 2% of the seats in the Lok Sabha from a minimum of three states.
  
  
• The party must be recognised as a state party in at least four states.

What are the criteria to be recognised as a state party?

For a party to be recognised as a 'state party' an organisation needs to fulfil any of the following criteria:

• The party must win at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in an assembly election and win at least 2 seats.
  
  
• The party must bag at least 6% of the valid votes polled and win 1 or more seats in a Lok Sabha election.
  
  
• The party must win at least 3% of the total number of seats or at least 3 seats, whichever is more, in an assembly election.
  
  
• The party must have at least 1 seat for every 25 constituencies from a state in the Lok Sabha or an equivalent fraction as allocated to the state.
• The party must have won at least 8% of the total valid votes polled in an assembly or a Lok Sabha election.
  
  
• Apart from these key criteria, the party must also fulfil some additional conditions to be recognised as a state or national party.

Financial Status: The party must have a permanent office and a registered constitution. It must also submit its audited accounts to the Election Commission on a regular basis.

Political Record: The party must have a record of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy, secularism, and socialism.

Organisational Structure: The party must have a proper organizational structure, with a National Council and a President. Additionally, national parties are required to hold organisational elections to elect office bearers every five years.

Once a political party meets these criteria, it can apply to the Election Commission of India for recognition as a national party. The Commission then examines the application and decides whether to grant national status or not. The decision of the Commission is based on the fulfilment of the criteria mentioned above.

What are the benefits of getting recognised as a national party in India?

If a party is granted national status, it is entitled to certain privileges and perks, such as reserved party symbols, and the party's candidates get more airtime on television, and radio during elections.

Right to use a reserved symbol: A national party is given the right to use a reserved symbol for all elections held throughout the country. This symbol is exclusive to the party and cannot be used by any other party.

National Presence: A national party can contest elections across the country and can field candidates in any state, which helps in expanding its base and influence.

More 'Star Campaigners': A national party can engage 40 'star campaigners' as opposed to 20 such campaigners allotted to a registered unrecognised party. Star campaigners' expenses are not added to the party's overall costs of running an election campaign.

Government Land Allocation: A party with the 'national' status gets land from the government to build its headquarters.  

Single Proposer: 'National' parties need to have just one proposer to submit a nomination. They are given two free sets of electoral rolls during the roll revision. They also get one free electoral roll for each candidate during general elections.

Influence on National Policy: National parties have a significant say in the formulation of national policies, and their opinions and positions are often given greater weightage than those of state parties.

Which are the national parties in India at present? 

• Bharatiya Janata Party
  
  
• Indian National Congress
  
  
• Communist Party of India (Marxist)
  
  
• Aam Aadmi Party
  
  
• Bahujan Samaj Party
  
  
• National People's Party (NPP)