Challenges faced by political parties in India :
1. Lack of internal democracy - Power is concentrated in the hands of one or a few leaders at the top. Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings and do not conduct internal elections regularly. Ordinary members have no information and no influence.
2. Dynastic succession - Since there is no open and transparent procedure, leaders favour people close to them and even their own family members. In many parties the top positions are controlled by members of one family, which is unfair to other members and bad for democracy.
3. Growing role of money and muscle power - Parties tend to nominate candidates who can raise money or who have criminal connections and can win elections. Rich people and big companies then gain undue influence on the policies of the party.
4. No meaningful choice to the voters - The ideological differences among parties have come down. Those who want really different policies have no option, and even the leaders keep shifting from one party to another.
Remedies : An anti-defection law has been passed; the Supreme Court has made it mandatory for candidates to file an affidavit; and the Election Commission has ordered parties to hold organisational elections and file income tax returns. Regulation of internal affairs, one-third reservation for women and state funding of elections are further suggestions.