and Challenges FORMULATION of conceptual frames for comprehension and analysis of various political phenomena is the function of political theory. The Indian party system has posed a challenge for such a task of conceptualisation. There was a lag of more than fifteen years between the emergence of one party dominance and that of the conceptual understanding of it. No sooner did the theory of the one party dominance system give some sure and confident touch to the study of party politics, than the system itself was thrown into the throes of disintegration. The interlude of 1967- 1971 created new strains and challenges to the task of conceptual innovation. The emergent situation was too fluid, uncertain, and 'new' to permit comfort and confidence to political analysts.
