Author: Ranajit Kumar Mondal
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/PP/030300009
Abstract: Regional identity has emerged as a significant force in shaping political mobilization and electoral behaviour in India. The country’s vast linguistic, cultural, ethnic, religious, geographical, and socio-economic diversity has created conditions in which regional political parties can articulate interests that may not always receive adequate attention within national political frameworks. Regional parties have consequently become important actors in India’s democratic and federal system. They represent state-specific aspirations, mobilize communities around regional identities, influence public policy, participate in coalition governments, and contribute to the decentralization of political power. This article examines the relationship between regional identity and political mobilization in India, with particular attention to the historical emergence of regional parties, the social and cultural foundations of regionalism, electoral strategies, identity-based mobilization, federalism, coalition politics, welfare policies, representation of marginalized communities, and contemporary challenges. The study follows a qualitative and descriptive approach based on secondary sources, including books, scholarly literature, election reports, constitutional documents, and government publications. The analysis indicates that regional parties have played a dual role in Indian democracy. On the one hand, they have strengthened political representation by giving voice to linguistic, cultural, ethnic, regional, and socio-economic interests. On the other hand, excessive identity politics, populism, political polarization, and personality-centred organization may create challenges for democratic governance. Regional identity should therefore be understood not as a threat to national unity but as an important dimension of India’s pluralistic federal democracy. The article argues that the future effectiveness of regional parties will depend on their ability to combine regional aspirations with inclusive development, democratic accountability, social harmony, and constructive participation in national politics.
Keywords: Regional Identity, Political Mobilization, Regionalism, Indian Politics, Electoral Politics, Federalism, Democracy.
Page No: 61-74