How is the Prime Minister of India appointed? What are the main powers of the Prime Minister of India?

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How is Indian Prime Minister elected?

Appointment of the Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is appointed by the President but while doing so the President is not having a freehand. Only that person can be appointed to the office of Prime Minister who is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. After the general elections the President invites the leader of the party/ combine which has gained majority in the Lok Sabha to form Government.

If no political party/combine gets an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha even then the President is not free to appoint any body as the Prime Minister. Under such circumstances only that person will be invited to form Government who can seek the co-operation of the majority of members in the Lok Sabha.

Term of Office: The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure of office. He remains in office till that time so far as he enjoys the support of the majority party. If the majority of members of the Lok Sabha lose confidence in the Prime Minister, he is to resign the office.

Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister:

1. Formation of the Council of Ministers: His first duty after assuming office is the formation of the Council of Ministers. He prepares a list of ministers according to his volition. He has a free hand in the selection of ministers. No body can be appointed a minister against the wishes of the Prime Minister.

2. Allocation of Portfolios among the Ministers: The Prime Minister distributes portfolios among the ministers. He decides what department is to be allotted to a particular minister. He controls the working of the departments of his ministers. If the Prime Minister is not satisfied with the working of a department, he can change the department of that minister.

3. To preside over the meetings of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet. The Cabinet functions under the control of the Prime Minister. He can call the meetings of Cabinet whenever he likes. The Prime Minister prepares the agenda for the meetings as well as controls it. He presides over the Cabinet meetings. All the decisions in Cabinet meetings are taken according to the wishes of the Council of Ministers.

4. Appointment of the High Officials: All the important appointments in the states are made by the Prime Minister. The President makes appointments of the State Governors, Ambassadors and members of the Union Public Service Commission only on the advice of the Prime Minister. The President cannot make any such appointment on his own accord.

5. Link between the President and the Council of Ministers: The Prime Minister is the link between the President and the Cabinet. It is the duty of the Prime Minister to convey the decisions of the Cabinet to the President. No minister can discuss a particular problem with the President without the permission of the Prime Minister. The President can demand information from the Prime Minister regarding the working of administration. The Cabinet can discuss any issue with the President only through the Prime Minister.

6. Leadership of the Cabinet in the Parliament: The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet in the Parliament. The ministers answer the questions put to them by the Members of the Parliament. Whenever a minister is in difficulty, the Prime Minister helps him. The Prime Minister explains the policy and decisions of the Cabinet to the Parliament. All important statements on behalf of the Cabinet are made by the Prime Minister in the Parliament. If the President requires any information regarding the administration of any department, he would demand such an information from the Prime Minister.

7. Leader of the Parliament: The Prime Minister is also the leader of the Lower House. Out of the two Houses the position of Lok Sabha is of greater importance and the Prime Minister is the Leader of the Lok Sabha. The Parliament always depends upon the policy and guidance of the Prime Minister for facing any problem. All the important decisions in the Parliament are taken according to the wishes of the Prime Minister. He can get any law passed by the Parliament because he is the leader of the majority party. He can get the Lok Sabha dissolved by the President.

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