The national political party which espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities is the Indian National Congress.
Four features of this party are listed below:
(i) Founded in 1885.
(ii) Dominated Indian politics, both at the national and state levels, for several decades after India's independence.
(iii) Ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its support declined.
(iv) A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation.
