The recent political landscape of Uttarakhand experienced some significant changes with the swearing-in of Pushkar Singh Dhami as the 11th Chief Minister (CM). This event occurred just months ahead of the impending Assembly polls slated for early 2022.
Appointment of the Chief Minister: A Constitutional Mandate
Based on Article 164 of the Constitution, the state governor is responsible for appointing the Chief Minister. Typically, the chosen individual is a leader from the party that acquires the majority vote in the assembly elections. While the Governor serves as the nominal executive authority, the actual executive authority lies with the Chief Minister. Nonetheless, the governor’s discretionary powers can sometimes limit the influence and role of the CM within the state.
In unusual circumstances, a person who is not part of the state legislature may hold the CM position for six months. However, it’s mandatory for this individual to be elected into the state legislature within these six months. Failure to do so results in their removal from the CM position.
Tenure of the Chief Minister: An Unfixed Term
The tenure of the Chief Minister isn’t predetermined and they serve at the governor’s pleasure. The governor cannot dismiss them as long as they command majority support in the legislative assembly. On the other hand, the State Legislative Assembly can expel the CM by passing a no-confidence vote against them.
Powers and Functions of the Chief Minister
The office of the Chief Minister comes with several responsibilities and powers.
With Respect to Council of Ministers:
The Governer only appoints ministers recommended by the CM. The CM also has the power to allocate and reshuffle portfolios among ministers. Should the Chief Minister resign, the council of ministers would collapse since the CM is its head.
With Respect to Governor:
Under Article 167 of the Constitution, the CM acts as a link between the Governor and the state council of ministers. The CM advises the Governor on appointing key officials such as the advocate general, the chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission, and the State Election Commission.
With Respect to State Legislature:
The Chief Minister is tasked with announcing all policies on the house floor. They can recommend the dissolution of the legislative assembly to the Governor.
The Chief Minister’s Miscellaneous Functions
Apart from these, the Chief Minister has several other roles to fulfill. They serve as the chairperson of the State Planning Board and rotate as the vice-chairman of the related zonal council, holding office for one year at a time. They are members of both the Inter-State Council and the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, headed by the Prime Minister.
As the state government’s chief spokesperson, they manage crises on a political level during emergencies. Meeting various people and receiving memoranda about their concerns is also part of their job. This makes them the political head of the services.