Modern democracies cannot exist without political parties. The necessity of a political party in democracy can be understood from the given points.
(i) If every elected representative is independent, and then no one can make promise for any major policy changes. The government may be formed but its utility will remain always uncertain. Non-party based Panchayat election also creates same problems.
(ii) The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies. As society became larger and complicated, they also need some agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government.
(iii) Political parties inform the people about the working of the ruling party. They discuss the problems of the state, the working and failure of the government and give suggestion for the upliftment of masses.
(iv) Political party acts as a link between government and masses.
(v) Political parties from and run governments. The executive body is formed by people from the ruling party. Various political leaders are assigned different ministries to carry out the task of governance.
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The following efforts have been made to reform political parties in India :
(i) Supreme Court has helped in reducing the influence of criminals and money in elections. It is now mandatory for every person contesting the election to give an affidavit regarding his wealth and criminal cases pending against him. With this people can acquire information about their leaders and this has also led to decline in criminalisation of politics.
(ii) These days no one can change his/her party after Anti Defection law was passed in the Parliament. Amendment was made in the constitution to prevent MPs and MLAs from changing parties. If anyone try to change his/ her party, he/ she lose his/ her seat.
(iii) Election Commission has also ordered all political parties to hold their organisational elections and file the income tax returns for the purpose of introducing internal democracy. Parties have started to do so formally.
(iv) Regulating internal affairs in the party should be made compulsory. Registers of the existing members should be made. All parties should follow their constitution and regular elections should be held for the higher post of the party.
(v) State should provide funds for contesting elections. It can be either given in the form of cash or in the form of petrol, paper, telephone, etc. This may reduce the influence of money in the elections.