REGIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHEAST INDIA: ORIGINS,
ELECTORAL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIAN
FEDERALISM

Dr. Man Norbu

doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i02.001

Title: REGIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHEAST INDIA: ORIGINS, ELECTORAL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIAN FEDERALISM
Authors: Dr. Man Norbu
Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER) ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Publication Date: February 2026 DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i02.001
\|\| \|\|
Dr. Man Norbu Assistant Professor (Guest), Department of Political Science, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India
MLA 8 Norbu, Dr. Man. "REGIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHEAST INDIA: ORIGINS, ELECTORAL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIAN FEDERALISM." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 11, no. 2, Feb. 2026, pp. 383-390, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i02.001. Accessed Feb. 2026. APA 6 Norbu, D. (2026, February). REGIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHEAST INDIA: ORIGINS, ELECTORAL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIAN FEDERALISM. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 11(2), 383-390. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i02.001 Chicago Norbu, Dr. Man. "REGIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHEAST INDIA: ORIGINS, ELECTORAL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIAN FEDERALISM." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 11, no. 2 (February 2026), 383-390. Accessed February, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i02.001.
References [1] . Baruah, S. (2005). Durable disorder: Understanding the politics of Northeast India. Oxford University Press. [2] . Chandra, K. (2004). Why ethnic parties succeed: Patronage and ethnic head counts in India. Cambridge University Press. [3] . Chhibber, P., & Kollman, K. (2004). The formation of national party systems: Federalism and party competition in Canada, Great Britain, India, and the United States. Princeton University Press. [4] . Goswami, U. (2014). Statehood movements in Assam. Sage Publications. [5] . Hausing, K. J. (2017). Political representation and identity in Northeast India. Indian Journal of Political Science, 78(2), 215–230. [6] . Jaffrelot, C., & Verniers, G. (2020). Indian politics and the rise of regional parties. Oxford University Press. [7] . Singh, M. P., & Saxena, R. (2013). Indian politics: Constitutional foundations and institutional functioning (3rd ed.). PHI Learning. [8] . Stepan, A., Linz, J. J., & Yadav, Y. (2011). Crafting state-nations: India and other multinational democracies. Johns Hopkins University Press. [9] . Yadav, Y. (1999). Electoral politics in the time of change. Economic and Political Weekly, 34(34–35), 2393–2399. [10] . Yadav, Y., & Palshikar, S. (2009). Ten theses on state politics in India. Seminar, 591, 14–22.
ABSTRACT: Regional political parties have been a defining feature of India’s multi-party democracy, particularly in Northeast India—a region marked by ethnic diversity, historical marginalization, and strategic importance. Emerging from movements for autonomy, identity assertion, and selfrule, these parties have articulated region-specific aspirations while negotiating accommodation within India’s federal framework. This article offers a comprehensive and original analysis of the evolution, ideological foundations, electoral dynamics, and governance role of regional political parties in Northeast India. Using a qualitative and analytical methodology based on secondary sources such as Election Commission of India data, census reports, and scholarly literature, the study situates regional parties within broader debates on federalism, party systems, and identity politics. It argues that despite growing competition from national parties and increasing centralization, regional political parties continue to play a crucial role in democratic representation, centre–state bargaining, and political stability in the region. The article contributes to the literature on subnational politics by highlighting the adaptive strategies and continuing relevance of regional parties in India’s northeastern frontier.

IJSSER is Member of