Election Commission.  

A political party is recognized as a National Party when either the candidates set up by it, in any four or more states, at the last General Election to the House of the People, or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned, have secured not less than six per cent of the total valid votes polled in their respective States at the General Election; and in addition, it has returned at least four members to the house of the people at the aforesaid last General Election from any state or states; or its candidates have been elected to the House of the People, at the last General Election to that house, from at least Two percent of the total number of Parliamentary Constituencies in India.

A political party is recognized as a State Party, if and only if, either the candidates set up by it, in the General Election to the House of the People, or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned have secured not less than six percent of the total valid votes polled in that State, in that General Election; and in addition, it has returned at least two members to the Legislative Assembly of the State at the last General Election to the Assembly; or it wins atleast three per cent of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State.      

In order to gain recognition in a state, the political party must have had atleast five years continuous activity, and send atleast 4% of states quota to the Lok Sabha or 3.33% of members to that state assembly. If a party is thus recognized in four or more states, it is declared as a National Party, otherwise it stays as a State Party.       

  1885 - by Allan Octavian Hume, Dadhabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Edulji Wacha and a few others.    

 To obtain a greater share in government for educated Indians. The organization later took the front stage in the freedom struggle and after freedom became a political party.     

Womesh Chandra Bannerji.

  Bahruddin Taiyabji in 1887.

Annie Beasant - 1917 - Calcutta.          

The same flag as the National Flag, except that in the centre the wheel is replaced by hand at the centre.

Congress Sandesh.

1907 Surat - It split into two groups viz; Extremists led by Bal Gangadhara Tilak and the Liberals led by Gopala Krishna Gokhale.

 1916 - Lucknow Session by Dr. Annie Beasant.

1. George Yule 1888;   2. Sir William Webberburn 1889;   3. Webb 1894;   4. Sir Henry Cotton 1904;  5. Sir William Webberburn 1910;   6. Mrs. Annie Beasant 1917.    7. Nellie Sengupta 1933.

Only six but on seven occasions, they were Presidents of INC. (Smt. Sonia Gandhi has not been included as she is a Citizen of India).

Seven but on eight occasions:  1. Syed Bahruddin Tayabji 1887;    2. M.Rahimatullah Sayani 1896;    3. Syed Mohammad Bahadur 1913;   4. Syed Ahmad Imam 1918;   5. Hakim Ajmal Khan 1921;    6. Abul Kalam Azad 1923;    7. M.A.Ansari 1927;    8. Abul Kalam Azad 1940.    

Five.   1. Mrs. Annie Beasant 1917;   2. Mrs. Sarojini Naidu 1925;   3. Mrs. Nellie Sengupta 1933;   4. Mrs. Indira Gandhi 1959 & 1978;   5. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi 1999 and continues.

  Smt. Sonia Gandhi from 1999 onwards. 

Mrs. Sarojini Naidu - 1925.  

Bombay - 28th to 31st September 1885.  Womesh Chandra Bannerjee. (W.C.Bannerjee)  as the first President.

Seventy two.

1967 - One faction was led by K.Kamaraj and the other by Smt.Indira Gandhi. However, Smt. Indira Gandhi managed to get the Election Commission's recognition.

1. "Poorna Swaraj" or "Complete Independence" slogan was adopted.
2. 26th January 1930 was declared as the first Independence Day.
3. Tricolour Flag was unfurled for the first time on 31.12.1929 at midnight.

Bharatiya Jan Sangh, founded by Shyam Charan Mukherjee in 1951.

1980 --  by Atal Behari Vajpayee, L.K.Advani and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Contested its first general elections in 1984 and got only two seats.

Saffron field with a Lotus at the centre.

Kamal Sandesh.

May 16 - 31, 1996 - for the first time. However, the government lasted for only 13 days, as it failed to pass through a no-confidence motion. Again in 1999 the BJP was able to obtain 183 seats and with coalition (NDA) formed the Government to last the 5 years upto 2004. In the 2004 and 2009 elections, it has lost out to Congress led UPA coalition.

Pokhran Nuclear Tests in 1998. It was called POKHRAN II Nuclear test and was code named as "Operation Shakti" and was conducted on 11th and 13th May 1998. (The first nuclear test POKHRAN I by our country was on 18th May 1974 and it was code named "Smiling Buddha").

Atal Behari Vajpayee.

S.No.   Name                                Year 

1.        Atal Behari Vajpayee          1980-1986
2.        Lal Kishen Advani              1986-1991
3.        Murali Manohar Joshi         1991-1993
4.        Lal Kishen Advani              1993-1998
5.        Kushabahu Thakre             1998-2000
6.        Bangaru Laxman               2000-2001
7.        Jana Krishnamoorthi          2001-2002
8.        Venkaiah Naidu                 2002-2004
9.        Lal Kishen Advani              2004-2006
10.      Raj Nath Singh                  2006-2009
11.      Nitin Gadkari                     2009-2013
12.      Raj Nath Singh                  2013-2014
13.      Amit Shah                         2014-

1.   Atal Behari Vajpayee  -- 16 May 1996 – 1 June 1996;  19 March 1998 – 22 May 2004. 

2.   Narendra Modi  --  26 May 2014.  

Nalini Gupta, Muzaffar Ahmed (Bengal), S,A.Dange (Bombay), Singaravelu Chettiar (Madras), Shaukat Usmani (UP), and Ghulam Hussain (Punjab). However, all of them were implicated in conspiracy cases (Peshawar Conspiracy cases and other cases) by the British and the party was not allowed to grow or expand its activities.
Only in 1937, the Communism activities got revived.

October 17, 1920: At Tashkent (formerly in USSR) now capital of Uzbekistan by M.N.Roy, his wife Evangelina Roy, Abani Mukherjee, his wife Rosa Fitingof, Muhammad Ali,  Mohammad Shafiq Siddique and MPBT Acharya.

December 25, 1925 at Kanpur. Thus the CPI considers this date as the founding day of Communism in India.

Red field with a Hammer and Sickle at the centre.

1. It was the second largest party (as an opposition) in the first general electrions held in 1951. It bagged 16 seats.
2. It was the first political party, next to Congress, to form a non-Congress government in a state - Kerala in 1957, under EMS Namboodiripad as CM.
3. It is the only political party to contest all the elections with the same symbol-Red background flag with a hammer and sickle at the centre.

1964 - due to ideological differences. The other breakaway faction is now known as Communist Party of India (Marxists), now the dominant Communists in India. Thus the CPI (M) came to be founded in 1964.
Thus it has two factions at present : Communist Party of India led by Sudhakar Reddy and the Communist Party of India (Marxism) led by Prakash Karat.

A committee of 15 top leaders of the Communist Party, which takes all the decisions related to the political activities of the party.

 "New Age"in English and "Mukti Sangarsh" in Hindi.

 "People Democracy" in English and "Lok Lehar" in Hindi.

Somnath Chatterjee -- 14th Speaker of the Lok Sabha  -- 4 June 2004 – 16 May 2009. 

1. ALL INDIA TRINAMOOL CONGRESS : A break away group of the Indian National Congress of West Bengal. It was founded by Mamata Bannerjee on 1.1.1998, led by its founder now. It is now the second largest party in the ruling United Progressive Alliance at the Centre and the Sixth largest party in the 15th Lok sabha with 19 MPs. In May 2011, it has captured the West Bengal state assembly defeating the Communist rule who ruled the state for more than three decades. The party's flag has the same field as the Congress, with two branch of flowers (Jara Ghass Phool), with three petals each. "Jago Bangla" is its official publication.
   2. BAHUJAN SAMAJ PARTY : Basically a political party based in Uttar Pradesh and is intended for the upliftment of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Buddhists. Founded in 1984 by Kanshiram, and after his death in 2003, Mayawati has taken over the control of the party. It has 21 MPs in the 15th Lok Sabha and is the fourth largest party at the centre. Has a great influence in the national politics, because of its member size. Its flag has a blue field with a Chakra at the centre. Elephant is its symbol. Its official publications are Adil Jafri and Mayayug.
   3. SAMAJWADI PARTY : A breakaway group from the janata dal. This party was founded in 1992 by Mulayam Singh Yadav. It is active only in Uttar Pradesh and at present has 21 seats in the present lok sabha. Its election symbol is Bicycle and its flag has 2/3rd organge red and and 1/3rd green horizontal bars with the cycle at the centre. Incidentally, this political party has captured the power of UP in the recent elections held in 2012.
   4. DRAVIDA MUNNETRA KAZHAGAM (DMK): A break away group from E.V.Ramasamy Naicker's (Periyar) Dravidar Kazhagam (DK).DMK was founded by C.N.Annadurai on 17.9.1949. It came to power Tamilnadu in 1967 in Tamilnadu and has been a force to reckon in state and national politics. the party has had only two presidents so far. 1. C.N.Annadurai FROM 1949 TO 1969 and 2. M.karunanidhi 1969 to date, probably the longest serving party president. "RISING SUN" is its symbol and Black and red horizontally placed flag. "MURASOLI" is its official publication.
   5. ALL INDIA ANNA DRAVIDA MUNNETRA KAZHAGAM: It is a breakaway group from DMK. Founded by M.G.Ramachandran on 17.10.1972. After the demise of M.G.Ramachandran on 24th december 1987, after some internal squabbles, j.jayalalitha has taken over the leadership and has been the leader since then. this party has made definite inroads into the DMK strongholds and has risen to be a strong political party in the south. "two leaves" is its symbol and its flag has three horizontal stripes black, white and red in that order. "NAMADHU MGR" is its official publication. This party came to power in Tamilnadu in the year in 1977, 1980, 1984, 1991, 2001 and 2011 and 2015.                                                                                                  After the demise of Jayalalitha on 6th December 2016, the party is undergoing some turbulence.  V. Sasikala has been selected as the General Secretary but she is under conviction by the Supreme Court. 
   6. TELUGU DESAM PARTY : Founded by the famous yesteryear Telugu cine actor Shri.N.T.Rama Rao on 29th March 1982 and immediately after formation, it came to power with a sweeping poll results. Confined only to Andhra Pradesh and a force to reckon with. However, after the death of N.T.R., the party has suffered defeats and also internal rivalries. However, Chandra Babu Naidu was able to take control of the larger faction and get recognition, and ruled between 1995-2004. The Party had 39 Lok Sabha seats in the 8th Lok Sabha and now in the 15th, it has only 6 seats. "Cycle" is its election symbol, with its flag in Yellow field with an industrial wheel, plough and a small home at the centre.
   7. SHIV SENA - Founded by Balasaheb Thackeray on 19.6.1966. Active only in Maharashtra on the ideals of Hindutva and Marathi Nationalism. Considered to be a slightly more vigorous in its ideologies. "Saamna" is its official publication . Its flag has a orange field with an upward bow and arrow at the centre. It has 11 MPs in the present 15th Lok Sabha.
   8. JHARKHAND MUKTI MORCHA - A tribal movement which became a political outfit under the leadership of Shibu Soren and continues.Active only in Jharkhand where the tribal population is more. It has two MPs in the 15th Lok Sabha. Its election symbol is the Bow and Arrow.
   9. JANATA DAL (UNITED) - A breakaway group from Janata Dal and the party is present only in Bihar and parts of Jharkhand and is led by Sharad Yadav. The party  now rules in Bihar led by Nitish Kumar as CM. The party has 20 Lok Sabha MPs in the current 15th Lok Sabha. Its flag has three horizontal bars, two dark green interevened by white bar at the centre with an arrow at the centre.
   10. BIJU JANATA DAL - A breakaway group from the Janata Dal - Founded in December 1997 by Naveen Patnaik(son of Biju Patnaik). It is present only in Odisha (formerly orissa) and is at present the ruling party of the state. It has 14 Lok Sabha MPs in the current Lok Sabha. "Conch" is its election symbol.
   11.RASHTRIYA JANATA DAL : A break away group from the Janata Dal. Founded by Laloo Prasad Yadav in 1997 and has a strong base in Bihar and in some parts of Chhatisgarh. Although the party was recognized as a National Party in 2008, it was withdrawn by the Election Commission in July 2010 and is now only a state party. Its flag has a green field with a lantern at the centre, with lantern as its election symbol. Its President Laloo Prasad Yadav is at present one of the longest serving political party leader.
   12. NATIONALIST CONGRESS PARTY : A breakaway group from the Indian National Congress on the issue of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi's nationality. Founded by Sharad Pawar, P.A. Sangma and Tariq Anwar on 25.5.1999. Its base is in Maharashtra mostly. Its flag has the same field as the Congress, with an analog clock, with two legs and alarm button on top, at the centre. Although it has its separate identity it is in line with the INC at the centre.
   13. FORWARD BLOC - Founded by Nethaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939, after some differences with the INC. It is mostly active in West Bengal and some eastern states. Not a major force to reckon . Its slogan is "All power to Indian People" and has a flag with a red field, with hammer, sickle and a tiger at the centre. Its General Secretary is Debabrata Biswas.
   14. ASOM GANA PARISHAD : A students' movement fighting against the influx of bangladeshis refugees, became a political party, after an accord reached with the government. All Assam Students' Union (aasu) became asom gana parishad under the leadership of Prafulla kumar Mohanta, in 1985. this party came to power in 1985-89 and 1996-2001 with Prafulla kumar Mohanta as CM, the youngest CM (at the age of 31)of a state. the party is confined only to Assam. It is a state party with "elephant" as the symbol and has a flag with three horizontal bars of maroon, white and oxford blue with elephant at the centre.
   15. LOK JAN SHAKTI - splitting from Janata Dal, this party was founded in 2000 by Ram Vilas Paswan. Active only in Bihar and parts of Chhatisgarh . Has a sizeable dalit following. "Bungalow" is its election symbol.
   16. MAHARASHTRAWADI GOMANTAK PARTY: A political party founded by Maharashtrians in Goa and remains active only in Goa. It is the first Indian political party to rule Goa after its annexation in 1961, and ruled till 1979. Later due to defections and infighting, the party has not been successful in its later efforts to come to power. Its present leader is Deepak Dhavlikar..
   17. MARUMALARCHI DRAVIDA MUNNETRA KAZHAGAM - A breakaway group from the DMK, founded by V.Gopalasamy (known as vaiko). Its presence is felt only in some northern districts of Tamilnadu and with the presence of DMK,AIADMK,PMK,Congress, this party is not able to achieve anything creditably. Its flag has three horizontal stripes, two red with black in between. "top" is its election symbol and "sangoli" is its official publication.
   18. PATTALI MAKKAL KATCHI - What began as a communal"VANNIYAR" Organization, (an OBC community) turned into a political party. Founded by Dr.S.Ramadoss in 1999, the party has some good following in the northern and southern districts of Tamilnadu. Its election symbol is "MANGO" and its flag has blue, yellow and red horizontal bars.
   19. JAMMU AND KASHMIR NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Founded by Sheikh Abdullah on 11.6.1939. It is confined only to Jammu and Kashmir .Currently Omar Abdullah, (Grand son of Sheikh Abdullah and son of Farooq Abdullah) is the leader of the party. Its flag has a red field with a plough at the centre and "Plough" is its election symbol.
   20. JANATA DAL (SECULAR) - A breakaway group from Janata Dal. Founded by former PM Deve Gowda in April 1999. Active only in Karnataka and some parts of Kerala. A lady farmer carrying paddy on her head is the election symbol of the party.
   21. TELENGANA RASHTRIYA SAMITI - A breakaway group from the Telugu Desam Party - founded in 2001 by Shri.K.Chandrasekara Rao. After the formation of the state of Telengana, this party has swept the polls in 2014 and is at present the ruling party of Telengana (formed in June 2014). The party has 11 members in the 16th Lok Sabha. 
   22. INDIAN MUSLIM LEAGUE: Founded as Muslim League in 1906 at Dacca by Sir Aga Khan . After independence it became Indian Muslim League. Although the Muslim population is spread across in all states and concentrated heavily in some regions of states, the party has not been able to perform creditably and has been only joining in alliance with other stronger parties.
   23. SHIROMANI AKALI DAL : Originally it was founded as Akali Dal in 1920. later due to factional problems, it split into many Akali Dals. However, in 2003, the election commission recognized the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Shri. Prakash Singh Badal as a state party and it continues. However, there are about six factions Akali Dal now functioning.

Smt. Mamata Bannerjee in 1998.

Flag: Same as Congress with two branched Flowers with three petals in each. (Name of the Flower is "Jara Ghas Phool") Publication: Jago Bangla.

Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. 1985.

Maroon, White and oxford blue horizontal bars with an elephant at the centre.

 Ram Vilas Paswan in 2000.    Symbol:  Bungalow.

It is the first Indian political party to rule Goa after liberation from Portuguese.

V.Gopalasamy (Vaiko) - Symbol: Top; Official publication: Sangoli.

Dr.S.Ramadoss, 1999; Symbol: Mango and Flag is Blue, yellow and Red horizontal bars.

Naveen Patnaik in 1997 - Conch is its election symbol.

Sheikh Abdullah - 1939 .

Amit Shah --  from 2014.  

Red Flag with a plough at the centre.

Bihar.

Deve Gowda, former PM - 1999 - active only in Karnataka - lady farmer with a paddy bundle on her head.

Shibu Soren and the symbol is upward placed bow and arrow.

Balasaheb Thackeray - 1966 - Orange field with a upward placed bow and arrow at the centre.

Saamna.

Yesteryears famous Telugu Cine Actor N.T.Rama Rao in 1982 - Its symbol is Cycle and its flag has a yellow field with an industrial wheel, plough and a small home at the centre.

K.Chandrasekara Rao - with a pinkish flag with the Telengana region at the centre.

Actually it is a descent from the Muslim League founded way back in 1906 by Aga Khan and others. Its election symbol is a ladder and its flag with a dark green field with a crescent and star at the left hand top corner.

Laloo Prasad Yadav and continues to be its president from 1997.

Lantern. Green Field with lantern at the centre.  

Mulaym Singh Yadav - 1992 - Symbol is Cycle - Flag is 2/3rd orange red and 1/3rd green horizontal bars.

Nethaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939.

"All power to indian people".

Sharad Pawar, P.A.Sangma and Tariq Anwar, in 1999 -- The same as the Congress, with an analog clock with two legs and an alarm button on top with the clock showing 10.10.

Kanshi Ram in 1984 --   Symbol: Elephant.    Flag with a blue field and chakra at the centre.

C.N. Annadurai in 1949.

Symbol: Rising Sun; flag: black and red horizontal bars; Official Publication: Murasoli.

M.G.Ramachandran - 1972.

Symbol: Two Leaves; Flag: Black, White and Red horizontal bars. Official Publication: Namathu MGR.