All you need to know about loss after removing the national status of political party

The Central Election Commission took a major decision on the status of the party on Monday evening. The Nationalist Congress (NCP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) are all national parties while giving Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national party status.

According to the Election Commission, these parties were given ample opportunity for 2 parliamentary elections and 21 state assembly elections, but could not perform well, hence their status was withdrawn.

Now you must have wondered what will be the benefit or loss to these parties with this action of the Election Commission. Before understanding this, let us know the basis on which the national status of a political party is given and withdrawn.

What are the rules for getting national party status? - 1) Party should have regional party status in 4 states. 2) Should win 3% seats in Lok Sabha including 3 states. 3) Apart from 4 seats in Lok Sabha, 6% in 4 states in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections.

A party can contest elections anywhere in the country, field candidates in any state. A party is given only one election symbol throughout the country, that symbol is reserved for the party, no other party can use it.

While filing candidature in the election, the proposer is also considered along with the candidate. Election Commission provides two sets free of cost for revision of electoral roll. It also provides free voter list to the candidates.

The party has the right to open a central office in Delhi, for which the government provides a building or land. The party can field 40 star campaigners in the election campaign. Expenditure on star campaigners is not included in the election expenditure of a party candidate.

Election symbol of the party will not appear at the beginning of the EVM or ballot paper. Whenever the Election Commission convenes a meeting of political parties, it is not necessary for that party also to convene.

Political funding may be affected. The time slot available on Doordarshan and All India Radio will be withdrawn. The number of star campaigners is reduced from 40 to 20 during elections. The party will have to take a different symbol to contest elections in the states.

Sharad Pawar founded NCP in 1999. It got national party status in 2000 but lost it due to poor performance in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya. Since 2019, the Election Commission has revised the status of 16 political parties.