Question

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is a regional party in:
A.Karnataka
B.Andhra Pradesh
C.Kerala
D.Tamil Nadu

Answer 1

Hint: One of the most dominant features of Indian democracy is the multi-party system which means that there are a large number of parties competing to attain power both at the national and state level. Regional political parties represent specific regions in a state and contest elections for the state legislative assemblies. At present, there are 53 recognised state parties and several unrecognised state parties as well. PMK similarly is a regional /state party founded in 1989 by S. Ramadoss. The election symbol of the party is a mango.

Complete step by step solution:
Option A: Karnataka is incorrect. Some recognised state parties in Karnataka in the past have included Janata Dal (Secular), Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee and Badavara Shramikara Raithara (BSR) Congress.
Option B: Andhra Pradesh is incorrect. Some recognised state parties in Andhra Pradesh in the past have included Telugu Desam Party, Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party and Jana Sena Party.
Option C: Kerala is incorrect. Some recognised state parties in Kerala in the past have included Kerala Congress (M), Indian Union Muslim League and Revolutionist Socialist Party.
Option D: Tamil Nadu is correct because PMK was founded in Tamil Nadu. The party won 21 seats in the 2001 Tamil Nadu State Assembly elections and 18 seats in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections.

Note: For a party to be recognised as a state party, it has one of the following conditions:
It should win at least 6% of valid votes polled and at least 2 seats in a state legislative assembly election or it should win 3% of the total number of seats or a minimum of 3 seats whichever is higher in a state legislative assembly election. Moreover, if the party secures at least 6% of valid votes polled and wins at least 1 seat in the Lok Sabha elections, it can be recognised as a state party.