With reference to the appointment of the Prime Minister of India, consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution mandates that only a member of the Lok Sabha can be appointed as the Prime Minister. 2. When no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the President can use personal discretion in appointing the Prime Minister. 3. A person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as Prime Minister but must get elected to either House within six months. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Notes:

Explanation:

The Constitution does not mandate that the Prime Minister must be from the Lok Sabha. A Prime Minister can be a member of either House, as seen in the cases of Indira Gandhi, Deve Gowda, and Manmohan Singh, who were all from the Rajya Sabha.
In the case of a hung Lok Sabha, the President may exercise personal discretion in appointing the Prime Minister, usually calling the leader of the largest party or coalition and asking them to prove majority support.
As per the 1997 Supreme Court ruling, a non-member of Parliament can be appointed as Prime Minister, but must get elected to either House within six months, else he ceases to hold office.

Source: Laxmikant (Polity)