1. As a society become large and complex they also need some agenesis together with different views on various issues and to present these to the govt.
 2. They need some ways to bring various representatives together so that a responsible govt. can by formed.
3. They need a mechanism to support and restrain the govt. make policies, justify or oppose them.

1. To contest election
 2. Forming policies and programmes
 3. Making laws
 4. Parties form and fun govt.
 5. To play an active role of opposition
 6. Shaping public opinion
 7. Access to govt. machinery and welfare schemes  

Following points can be given with explanation as the challenges of political parties in India—
1. Lack of internal democracy
2. Lack of transparency
3. Use of money and muscle power
4. Not providing meaningful choice to the voter

1. Congress party was founded in 1885 and has experiences many splits.
 2. It was ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then in 1880-89, 2000 to till date
 3. This party supports secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.
 4. It supports new economic reforms but with a human face.
 5. It emerged as the largest party with 145 seats in the Lok Sabha elections in 2004.
 6. It currently leads the ruling united progressive alliance (UPA) coalition govt. at the centre.