The role of regional parties changed over period of time. The changes are as follows:
- After independence, regional identity gave rise to separatists movements and demands were put up by regional parties for separate state.
- They wanted to break away from the Indian union and form a separate state.
- The demands of the regional parties changed gradually and these parties started asking for autonomy.
- In the later period, for the development of their region and people the parties demanded representation of their people in the state and central government.
- Regional parties in the north eastern region also started demanding more autonomy after split up.
- The journey of the regional parties began with a split up and then a demand for autonomy going on to share power in federation and then entry into mainstream national politics.