Difference Between National Party and State Party

Election Commission of India (ECI) grants recognition to national-level and state-level political parties based on objective criteria. The recognition of national and state parties is done by the Election Commission of India under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which was issued in exercise of its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.  The Difference between National and State Party are discussed in detail in the article.

National Party Criteria

National parties have a pan-India presence and exclusive symbols nationwide, while state parties operate within specific states, focusing on regional issues. 

Currently six parties enjoy the status of National Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), National People’s Party (NPP).
A registered party is recognised as a national party only if it fulfills any one of the three conditions listed below:

• 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 had at least four MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls; or 
• If it has won at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than three states; or 
• If it is ‘recognised’ in four or more states. 

State Party Criteria 

A registered party is recognised as a state party only if it fulfils any one of the five conditions listed below: 

• At least 6% vote-share in the last Assembly election and have at least 2 MLAs; or have 6% vote-share in the last Lok Sabha elections from that state and at least one MP from that state; or
• At least 3% of the total number of seats or three seats, whichever is more, in the last Assembly elections; or
• At least one MP for every 25 members or any fraction allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha; or
• Have at least 8% of the total valid votes in the last Assembly election or Lok Sabha election from the state.

Major examples of State Parties are: All India Trinamool Congress (West Bengal), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – DMK (Tamil Nadu), Samajwadi Party – SP (Uttar Pradesh), Rashtriya Janata Dal – RJD (Bihar), Janata Dal (United)  – JD(U) (Bihar), Telugu Desam Party – TDP (Andhra Pradesh) etc 

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Difference between National and State Party

Difference between National and State Party is discussed below: 

Advantages of Being Recognised as a National or State Party

• Exclusive Election Symbol:
  • If a party is recognised as a State Party’, it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates set up by it in the State in which it is so recognised, and
  • If a party is recognised as a `National Party’ it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates set up by it throughout India.
• Simpler Nomination Process:Recognised `State’ and `National’ parties need only one proposer for filing the nomination.
• Free Electoral Rolls: Recognised `State’ and `National’ parties are entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost at the time of revision of rolls and their candidates get one copy of electoral roll free of cost during General Elections.
• Free Airtime: Recognised `State’ and `National’ parties get broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections.
• Star Campaigner Facility: Political parties are entitled to nominate “Star Campaigners” during General Elections. 
  • A recognized National or State party can have a maximum of 40 “Star campaigners” 
  • A registered un-recognised party can nominate a maximum of 20 ‘Star Campaigners”. 

The travel expenses of star campaigners are not to be accounted for in the election expense accounts of candidates of their party.

Is Registration Necessary to Contest Elections?

Any Indian citizen who is more than 25 years old and is registered as a voter can contest elections even without forming a party. Similarly, associations can also contest elections without getting registered by the Election Commission. They, however, will not be identified as political parties and hence will not be eligible for availing of benefits under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA).

Benefits of Registration 

There are many benefits of registering a party: 

• Firstly, the RPA allows political parties to accept contributions voluntarily offered to it by any person or company other than a government company. 
• Apart from this, candidates of registered parties get preference in allotment of election symbols. Other Candidates are identified as independents and do not get preference in symbol allocation.