Question

Which of the following is a regional political party?
A) Communist party
B) Akali Dal
C) Bahujan Samaj Party
D) Indian Congress Party

Answer 1

Hint:
- The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) is an Indian Union Territory political party based in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is an Indian state political party based in Assam.

Complete answer:
A "regional party" is any political party that has its headquarters in a single region, regardless of its goals or platform, but "regionalist" parties are a subset of regional parties that push for greater autonomy or independence in their territory.

Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Communist party: The Communist Party of India (CPI) is India's oldest communist political party, as well as one of the country's eight national parties. The CPI was founded in Kanpur on December 26, 1925. As a result, it isn't a regional party. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option B) Akali Dal: In Punjab, India, the Shiromani Akali Dal is a centre-right national political party based on Sikhism. After Congress, the party was founded in 1920 and is India's second-oldest political party. As a result, it is a regional party. Hence, this option is correct.

Option C) Bahujan Samaj Party: The Bahujan Samaj Party is an Indian political party that was founded to represent Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (Bahujans), as well as religious minorities. As a result, it isn't a regional party. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option D) Indian Congress Party: The Indian National Congress, along with its primary adversary, the Bharatiya Janata Party, is one of India's two major political parties. The Congress is a "big tent" party whose programme is widely seen as being in the centre of Indian politics in terms of ideological inclination. As a result, it isn't a regional party. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Therefore, Akali Dal is the correct answer these political parties may operate at the state or local level. A State party is a political party that has been recognized by less than four states. For example, in the state of Punjab, the Akali Dal is a regional political party.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note: A party is recognized as a state party if it receives at least 6% of the total votes cast in a state legislative assembly election and wins at least two seats, according to the Election Commission's standards.