In India, regional parties have a significant and intricate influence on national policies. Regional parties concentrate on the particular needs and objectives of their respective states or regions, in contrast to national parties, which appeal to a wide spectrum of voters. These parties can affect national policymaking significantly because their concentrated attention often translates into great political clout.
Regional parties gained prominence in the latter half of the 20th century, especially as the Indian National Congress (INC) started to wane in power. Due to regional differences, linguistic and cultural identities, and local concerns, regional parties have grown in significance in state and federal politics. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu are two prominent examples of regional parties that have affected national politics. These parties have been crucial allies in a number of coalition governments and have made substantial legislative contributions in favour of social justice, affirmative action, and increased state autonomy. In the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government that ruled from 2004 to 2014, the Democratic Mass Kandu (DMK) had the greatest influence over the creation of social welfare and regional development policies.
Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal is another noteworthy example. The TMC has established itself as a powerful force in national politics, especially under the UPA-II administration. With substantial party engagement, the property Purchase, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act of 2013 was approved in an attempt to address the contentious issues surrounding property purchase. Banerjee’s adamant resistance to particular economic initiatives forced the federal government to reevaluate its policy directions, highlighting the TMC’s influence over national decision-making.
In Uttar Pradesh, both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have had a big impact on national politics. The support of these organisations, which have frequently acted as kingmakers in coalition governments, is crucial to the stability of the ruling coalition. In comparison, the BSP has elevated Dalit rights and social justice to the fore of national conversation, whilst the SP has mostly shaped social welfare and rural development policies. An illuminating case study that emphasises the potential of regional parties is the Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s (TRS) participation in the creation of Telangana. Established by K. Chandrashekar Rao, the TRS devoted all of its energy to building a distinct state that reflected the goals of the Telangana people. The separation of Andhra Pradesh and the creation of Telangana in 2014 were the results of their persistent efforts and political talks with the federal government. This illustration shows how regional parties have the power to shape important geopolitical trends and have an impact on national policy decisions.
The Shiv Sena in Maharashtra is another example of a regional party that can impact national policy. The Shiv Sena is a significant National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has significant sway over public policy. The party’s stances on Hindu nationalism, Marathi pride, and demands for increased financial support for Maharashtra have influenced its policies and electoral strategies. Regional parties affect a wide range of national policy issues, including social justice, federalism and decentralisation, and economic policies. Regional parties typically push for increased financial resources and state autonomy, which promote decentralisation and strengthen states’ roles in government. Furthermore, they support social justice and affirmative action, advocating for legislation that promotes the rights of underprivileged people. The support or opposition of regional parties, particularly those in coalition governments, can have an impact on significant economic legislation. E.g. The budget 2024-25 made significant grants in favour of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh as both JD(U) and TDP played a significant role in the formation of current NDA-III government.
Lastly, regional parties have a significant influence on national policy in India. They can have a big influence on national decision-making processes because of their strong electoral strength and capacity to represent local interests. To guarantee that all points of view are heard in India’s political process, regional parties use coalition politics, promote social justice, and take a stand on local concerns. The capacity of regional parties to shape national policies will be essential to Indian democracy even as the political landscape shifts.