- Deputy Chief Ministers (Deputy CMs) have emerged as major personalities in Indian politics, typically serving as political compromises in coalition governments or in the absence of single-party supremacy.
- The role and prevalence of Deputy Chief Ministers differ by state and region.
Role of Deputy CM
- Deputy Chief Ministers (CMs) are appointed to achieve political compromise, particularly in coalition governments or when no single leader holds uncontested control.
- Representation: Deputy chief ministers represent different regions, communities, or interest groups within a state, encouraging inclusion.
- Constitutional Basis: Although the office of Deputy Chief Minister is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, it is often assumed to be similar in rank to that of a Cabinet Minister.
- Article 163(1) establishes a Council of Ministers in each state, led by the Chief Minister, to assist and advise the Governor in carrying out his duties. While it does not name Deputy Chief Ministers, they are part of the Council of Ministers, much like Cabinet Ministers.
- Article 164(1) stipulates that the Governor shall appoint the Chief Minister and other Ministers on the Chief Minister’s advice. It establishes the Chief Minister’s authority to nominate Deputy CMs.
Prevalence of Deputy Chief Ministers
- Deputy Chief Ministers are becoming more prevalent in Indian states, with four of the five states going to the polls in November 2021.
- National Presence: The position of Deputy Chief Minister exists in most major states, with the exception of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- Various Contexts: States like as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana have multiple Deputy Chief Ministers, which typically represent coalition governments or competing political interests.
Historical Overview
- Anugrah Narayan Sinha was one of India’s first Deputy Chief Ministers, representing Bihar.
- Post-1967 Increase: Following the fall of Congress’ control in national politics in 1967, the prevalence of Deputy Chief Ministers increased.
- Examples include states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana, which have had Deputy Chief Ministers from varied political backgrounds.
Deputy Prime Ministers
- India has had Deputy Prime Ministers who held significant responsibilities at the national level.
- Notable figures include Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, Chaudhary Devi Lal, and Lal Krishna Advani, who served as Deputy Prime Ministers.
- Constitutional Aspects: The function of the Deputy Prime Minister has been debated in court, with the Supreme Court emphasising that it does not grant the Deputy Prime Minister any extra powers.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/post-of-deputy-cm-history-powers-9137250/