The Prime Minister is the real executive head. He/She is the leader of the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet. He picks up the members of the Council of Ministers and distributes portfolios among them. He conducts and presides over the meetings and proceedings of the Cabinet.
Why is the Prime Minister real executive head?
The Prime Minister is the real Executive head of the country because he is an elected leader, he represents the people of India.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For the formation of a coalition government, the Prime Minister does not enjoy the complete majority of the House and his position may become vulnerable. The opposition parties keep a check on the working of the Prime Minister and the government by scrutinizing the work of various governmental departments and by asking questions from the ministers in the Parliament. The press and public opinion keep a check on the power and authority of the Prime Minister.
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