Politics too influences the caste system and caste identities by bringing them into the political arena. Thus, it is not politics that gets caste-ridden, it is the caste that gets politicised. Politics in caste normally takes the following forms : (i) Wide base : Each caste tries to widen its base to gain majority. Each caste gpdup tries to become bigger by incorporating within it, the neighbouring castes or sub-castes which were earlier excluded from it. (ii) Coalition : Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other castes or communities, and thus enter into a dialogue and negotiation. This strengthens the basic structure of democracy. (iii) New groups : New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like ‘backward’ and ‘forward’ caste groups.