1. Regional political party (or state party) is a party that has its presence only in one or some states. 2. The regional parties may not always be regional in their ideology or outlook. Examples of some regional parties with units in several states include Samajwadi Party, Samata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal etc. Parties such as Biju Janata Dal or Mizo National Front are conscious about their state identity. 3. According to the criteria laid down by the Election Commission, a party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party.