Question

Which party has been in power continuously for 30 years in a state?
A.BSP
B.Indian National Congress
C.BJP
D.CPI(M)

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. The legislature in states is composed of the State Legislative Assembly (and the State Legislative Council in certain states).

Complete Step by Step answer: Option A: BSP is incorrect. Bahujan Samaj Party is a national party with its base in Uttar Pradesh. It has only served one complete term after becoming the sole majority party in the 2007 Uttar Pradesh State Elections with Mayawati serving as the Chief Minister.
Option B: Indian National Congress is incorrect. Although the oldest party in Indian politics which was formed in 1885, the Indian National Congress has won 11 Lok Sabha general elections but has not served consecutively for 30 years in any state.
Option C: BJP is incorrect because although, BJP-led NDA alliance won the seventeenth Lok Sabha general election making it their second consecutive term, it has not been able to serve for 30 years in any state.
Option D: CPI(M) is correct. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) was one of the founding parties that formed the Left Front alliance in West Bengal. The Left Front served the state for seven consecutive terms from 1977-2011. In five of those terms, Jyoti Basu was the Chief Minister and in the rest two, Buddhadev Bhattacharya was the Chief Minister.

Note: Members are elected to the State Legislative Assembly from amongst the candidates that stand in each constituency. This is done directly by the people exercising their right to vote in respective constituencies. Candidates who win said seats to the Legislative Assembly become Member of Legislative Assembly (or MLA) and hold it for a term of five years. The leader of the party or coalition (a group of parties) with the most seats in the Legislative Assembly becomes the Chief Minister of the state.