- 164 (1) provides that the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.
- He allocates and reshuffles the portfolio among ministers.Â
- He can ask a minister to resign or advise the governor to dismiss him in case of difference of opinion
- He presides over the meetings of the council of ministers and influence its decisions
- He guides, directs, controls and coordinates the activities of all the ministers
- The Chief Minister represents the state government and Council of Ministers at the national level and coordinates Centre-state relations.
- In case of differences among ministers, the decision of the Chief Minister is normally treated as final.
- He can bring about the collapse of ministers by resigning from office. SInce the CM is the head of the council of ministers, his resignation or death automatically dissolves the council of ministers .
The Chief Minister is the real executive head of the state government. However, several factors limit their actual role:
- Discretionary Power of Governor → (e.g., dismissal of the council of ministers if they fail to prove confidence).
- Political Strength → Authority depends on the party’s majority. (Strong mandate = effective governance; weak mandate = coalition compromises.)
- Coalition Dynamics → Leading a coalition means managing complex relationships, which can weaken governance focus.
- Central Government Relations → Good ties are needed for state resources and welfare programs.
- Leadership Qualities → Charisma, communication, and integrity boost public image and effectiveness.
- Policy Implementation → Success depends on addressing public issues, fulfilling promises, and maintaining a clean reputation.
A balance of political acumen, administrative efficiency, and public appeal is crucial for a Chief Minister to thrive in their role.
The Chief Minister is the real executive and the head of the government in a parliamentary system.
Role of CM in administration:
- In Relation to the Council of Ministers : The Chief Minister recommends ministerial appointments to the Governor, allocates and reshuffles portfolios, can request minister resignations or advise dismissals, presides over and influences council meetings, guides and coordinates ministerial activities, and can dissolve the council by resigning.
- In Relation to the Governor : The Chief Minister acts as the main communication channel between the Governor and the council of ministers (Art. 167 )and advises on the appointment of key officials like Advocate-General, Chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission, State Election Commissioner.Â
- In Relation to the State Legislature : The Chief Minister advises the Governor on legislative sessions, can recommend the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly, and announces government policies in the legislature.
- Other Powers and Functions :Â
- The Chief Minister serves as the chairman of the State Planning Board, vice-chairman of the Zonal Council (rotational), member of Inter-State and National Development Councils, chief spokesman of the state government, and crisis manager during emergencies.Â
- Additionally, the Chief Minister engages with the public and addresses their concerns, leads the ruling party, and acts as the political head of state services.
However, the Chief Minister’s actual role is limited by various factors: the Governor’s discretionary power, political strength depending on the party’s legislative majority, coalition dynamics requiring complex relationship management, relations with the central government for accessing resources.
