Q. In relation to the Council of Ministers, why is the Prime Minister called the ‘first among the equals’?
1. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister.
2. The Ministers are Constitutionally required to communicate all decisions relating to their ministry to the Prime Minister.
3. The resignation or death of an incumbent Prime Minister automatically dissolves the entire Council of Ministers.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Exp) Option d is the correct answer.
Lord Morley described Prime Minister as ‘primus inter pares’ (first among equals) for the following reasons:
Statement 1 is correct: Prime Minister recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the president. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister. Prime Minister can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him in case of difference of opinion.
Statement 2 is incorrect: It is the duty of the Prime Minister (not Council of Ministers) to communicate to the President all decisions relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.
Statement 3 is correct: Since the Prime Minister stands at the head of the council of ministers, the other ministers cannot function when the Prime Minister resigns or dies. In other words, the resignation or death of an incumbent Prime Minister automatically dissolves the council of ministers and thereby generates a vacuum.
