India has a parliamentary form of government in which the Prime Minister is the real head of the country. The President is the nominal head who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Appointment of the Prime Minister
- According to the Constitution, the President has to invite the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha to form the government. The leader of the majority party is elected by the party members.
- When no single party gets absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, the President has to invite a person to form the government who can prove majority on the floor of the House.
- The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is appointed as the Prime Minister by the President.
Prime Minister and President
- The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. Thus, while the President is the nominal head, the Prime Minister is the real head.
- The President summons and prorogues the Parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- The Cabinet Ministers are chosen by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- He advises the President on various appointments made on the posts of the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Governors and the ambassadors.
- The Prime Minister is a link between the President and the Council of Ministers. All important decisions made by the Cabinet members are communicated to the President by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister and Cabinet
- The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet. He presides over the meetings of the Cabinet.
- He allocates portfolios to his ministers and can also ask for their resignations.
- He coordinates the workings of various departments of the Cabinet.
- When the Prime Minister resigns, his Cabinet members also have to resign.
Prime Minister and Parliament
- As the Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha, he is considered the leader of the House.
- He is the chief spokesperson of the government in the Parliament.
- He defends the government in the Parliament.
- Whenever his minister is questioned, he defends him. Whenever the discussions become ugly on issues such as communal tension, the Centre–State relationship, price rise etc., he can intervene and can put the matter to an end.
Prime Minister as a Leader of the House
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the nation and represents the country in international affairs.
- During national crises like war, the opposition parties extend full support to him.
- He decides on the foreign policy of the country.
- He presides over the meetings of the Planning Commission and the Atomic Energy Commission.
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