What if, alongside the regular political parties in India, we also had “Symbolic Parties”?
These Symbolic Parties would not contest elections but would exist solely for non-electoral political purposes. Unlike NGOs, they would function as political entities, allowing them to represent a clear ideology, recruit politically active members, organize movements, and accept political donations—all without seeking electoral power.
Why not contest elections? Because significant change can be achieved through political movements alone, without ever needing to win an election. For example, a Good-Infra-Party could collect donations, mobilize volunteers, and directly fix infrastructure problems instead of waiting for electoral victories or government reforms. Similarly, other Symbolic Parties could focus on issues like education, governance transparency, or environmental action—driving real change without entering electoral politics.
By creating a space for political activism outside elections, Symbolic Parties could influence governance, push for reforms, and mobilize people for causes that matter—without the compromises that come with electoral politics.