Many political parties in India face these problems:

Entry into a party is tightly and arbitrarily controlled. In most mainstream parties, the leadership denies membership to those with the potential to challenge their position. Similarly, persons opposed to party's stated ideology are admitted when it suits the leadership.

Membership rolls are not available, and when prepared are often spurious. Proper records are rarely kept and never put up for scrutiny by the media or the public.

Even the faintest criticism of the leadership on any issue is construed as an act of indiscipline, often leading to suspension or expulsion. Ironically, when leadership changes in the party, the same members who were earlier punished for rebellion are welcomed back without any problem.

Leadership is often acquired through undemocratic means and retained by the power of patronage, nomination and expulsion, rather than the support of members.

Party leadership is unaccountable to its members and the public regarding contributions received and expenditure incurred. Funds are collected clandestinely and spent at will to consolidate personal power.

Party policies are rarely debated or decided in party fora. Members have no role in shaping party's policies.

The leadership exercises total control over the party apparatus and resources. The consequences of raising even legitimate concerns are severe. Suspension, expulsion, instant removal from office, denial of party tickets etc. follow. If the party is in power, the state machinery is used more to gain absolute control over the party and state, without any regard for governance.

Every party functionary owes his position to the grace of the 'High Command', who is always propagated to be larger than life. No other party functionary or leader is allowed to share the limelight. The moment a functionary seems to be gaining in popularity, he is immediately cut to size, and even expelled to force him into political wilderness.

Elections are not held, and if held are rigged. Musclemen often take over party meetings, and fisticuffs and violence are quite common. All parties, without exception, nominate candidates for public office through the dictates of the leadership or high command. Often these are family members of the leadership. Democratic procedures like secret ballot are never followed in choosing candidates.

Even the candidates for public office in local government elections are decided by the central leadership. Again, when the party obtains a majority in local elections, the functionaries are decided by the party bosses.