In India we have six national parties: (a) Indian National Congress (INC): Originally the Congress Party, was founded in 1885. It played an important role in Indian politics at the national and state levels after the independence. Under Nehru the party tried to build a modern secular democratic republic in India. The party supports secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities. (b) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Originally the Jansangh, was founded in 1980.The party wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s culture and values. Cultural nationalism is its important element. It wants a uniform civil code for all people living in India irrespective of the religion, and bans on religious conversions. (c) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed in 1984, under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. The party seeks to represent and secure the power for Bahujan Samaj which includes dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities. It draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule,Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb Ambedkar. It stands for the cause of securing interest and welfare of dalits and oppressed people. (d) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) was founded in 1964. The party believes in Marxism and Leninism. It supports socialism, secularism and democracy and opposes imperialism and communalism. It accepts democratic elections as useful means to secure the objective of socio-economic justice in India. (e) Communist Party of India (CPI) was formed in 1925. The party believes in Marxism and Leninism, secularism and democracy and is opposed to the forces of secessionism and communalism. It accepts parliamentary democracy as the means of promoting the interest of working class, farmers and the poor. (f ) National Congress Party (NCP) was formed in 1999 following a split in Congress Party. The party supports democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and federalism. It wants high offices in the government to be confined to the natural born citizens.