While the President is the Head of the State, the Prime Minister is the Head of the Government. In this
connection, explain the following
(a) Who becomes the Prime Minister after new elections?
(b) What are his functions or powers?
(c) Explain his relation with the Council of Ministers.
Answers
Answer:
1) Narendra Modi was re-elected as prime minister in 2019 with a bigger mandate than that of 2014. The BJP-led NDA winning 354 seats out of which BJP secured 303 seats.
2) The main functions of Prime Minister related to the Council of Ministers are as follows:
1. The Prime Minister recommends the names of members of his team to appoint as a Minister. The President can only make those people as ministers whose names are recommended by the Prime Minister.
2. Prime Minister determines which department will be given to which minister and he can also change the allotted department of any Minister.
3. He also presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers and can change the decisions according to his wishes.
4. He can ask any minister to resign or advise the president to dismiss him in case of differences of opinion.
5. He also controls and directs the activities of all Ministers.
6. He can bring about the collapse of the Council of Ministers by resigning from office.
3) There is a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President in exercise of his functions. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, who also appoints other ministers on the advice of Prime Minister. The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.