C. The Opposition Parties

Electoral participation of oppositions parties played a key role in maintaining the democratic character of the system since its inception. The opposition parties offered a sustained and principle criticism of the practices and policies of the Congress party. By keeping democratic political alternative alive, the opposition parties prevented the resentment within the system from turning into anti-democratic.

Right for the first elections, the existence of several political parties- such as the Bhartiya Jan Sangh, the Socialist Party, the communist Party, the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP)- was crucial for the development of a parliamentary democracy in India. Thus, it would be prtinant to discuss the major political parties that contributed in the democratic consolidation process in the initial years of the republic.