Abstract
India's political parties, while generally drawing their organizational personnel from the middle ranks of society, have been recruiting from other strata and segments of the social structure as well. In so doing, the parties help to integrate citizens and groups into the political system. Using data from interview surveys of party activists in Bihar in 1972-1973, this article contrasts the composition and activity patterns of Jan Sangh, Congress, the Samjukta Socialist Party and the Communist party of India constituency and district units, and clarifies the several roles of party activists, during and between election campaigns.
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