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Directions Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given it on the OMR Answer Sheet. A blanket den on defection will weaken rather than strengthen democracy, in whose nimieties being sought to de imposed. Granted political defiance is increasingly less an act of ideological defiance than one of pure opportunism. Granted also that it is illogical to allow one third of the party to split but not a lesser number. Yet, for all its flaws, the current law recognizes and respects one fundamental principle. The right to dissent. Democracy is about showing the door to one who dares to disagree. Democracy is about granting her the right to dissent from within the fold. In a household context, it would be akin to a father throwing out his rebellious. How would a democratic father deal with this situation? He would allow the daughter to roister her protest knowing full well that to not do so would stifle the youngster's intellectual growth and turn her into a malcontent. The need to foster a democratic spirit is all the more in a political party which derives its legitimacy from participation in democratic elections. Indeed, like charity, democracy must begin at home. A political party that is intolerant to internal dissent can hardly be expected to be liberal and democratic in its external conduct. To tell a legislator that he owes to his party, which has facilitated his election, never to disagree with it, is the equivalent of asking that he remain forever in bondage. To do so is to journey back to the feudal age, when a servant who rebelled against the master would be called a 'namak haram'. Take the case of a party that asks for votes on one ideological platform but switches course once it forms a government. What is the sanctity of the party whip issued in such a situation? Should the conscientious MP vote as ordered or should she defy the whip? It has to be the latter and there can be no two views on this. Now is it valid to argue that differences can be aired in private but must not translate into a vote. For voting is the ultimate expression of a person's conscience.

According to the passage, a political party which does not tolerate any internal dissent.

A) is doomed to disintegrate in the long run

B) maintains strict discipline and survives in the long run

C) is a boon to the democratic traditions and principles

D) is unlikely to be liberal and democratic in its external conduct