Dissecting the Evasiveness of Inner Party Democracy in India

Indian democracy has acquired a venerable place among the comity of thriving and robust democracies in the world due to its unflinching resilience and almost unhindered continuity. The case of Indian democracy receives accolades and appreciation due to its survival and durability in unimaginably challenging circumstances through history, especially in its peaceful transition of power between sworn rival parties.1 However, despite palpable success in keeping the elements of procedural democracy intact, including the perpetual election cycle in India, while still guaranteeing civil and political liberties to its citizens, Indian democracy is replete with a plethora of impediments which is indiscernibly enervating the substance that a democratic project entails. One such glaring shortcoming of Indian democracy is the lack of internal democratic functioning of the political parties in India.