EC recognised AAP as national party; a look at how a political party gets national status

The ECI has rejigged the list of national political parties, making AAP the newest national party and withdrawing the status from three parties. Here’s a look at what it takes to get the national party tag.

The Election Commission has named AAP as a national party and withdrawn the national party status of TMC, NCP and CPI. (Image: News18 Creative)

On April 10, the ECI rejigged the list. India now has six national political parties. (Image: News18 Creative)

To be granted national party status, a political party must fulfil some criteria. The party should be recognised as a ‘state party’ in at least four states. (Image: News18 Creative)

Here’s what it means being recognised as a national party. (Image: News18 Creative)

The EC recognised AAP as a national party based on its recent electoral performance in four states – Delhi, Goa, Punjab and Gujarat. (Image: News18 Creative)

The EC’s decision to withdraw the national status from these parties was based on a review of the parties’ poll performances in recent assembly polls and 2019 Lok Sabha poll. (Image: News18 Creative)

With Lok Sabha elections due next year, it was time for the EC to rejig the national parties list. (Image: News18 Creative)