Indian government Known for its cultural heritage and warm and friendly people, India is one the oldest civilizations on earth. Also known as Bharat and Hindustan and officially termed as the 'Republic of India', it is the largest liberal democracy of the world. India is divided into 28 states and 7 union territories. The language, geography and climatic conditions and huge natural resources are hardly comparable with any other country.
India is strategically located in southern Asia, bordering Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan on the north; Bangladesh, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and the Bay of Bengal on the east; the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar and the Indian Ocean on the south; and the Arabian Sea and Pakistan on the west.
Indian political system shows a multi-party system. The democratic government is formulated on the basis of majority win in elections. Elections are fought on party lines with different proclamations. Now, the elections have just become the game of coalitions instead of majority of the single party. As from last few terms not a single political party won elections with the full majority and has made alliances with other parties to form the government. In fact parties these days form pre-poll alliances to get the required majority win for forming government. Same is practiced for the formation of state government.
Political parties which participate in different elections all over India and are recognized in four or more states are considered as a National Party. Few of the popular National Parties in the Country are Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal, Communist Party of India and the newly formed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Political parties which participate in different elections only within one state are referred as State parties or regional parties. Prominent State Parties in the country are Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh, Muslim League in Kerala, Akali Dal in Punjab, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh, Rashtriya Janta Dal and Janta Dal United in Bihar, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham in Tamil Nadu and All India Trinamool Congess in West Bengal.
There are many independent candidates also who participate in election constituencies independently without the support of any party. Rarely these candidates get support from the larger parties.
