The Position of Deputy Chief Minister : 13 Feb, 2024

Nature of the Post: 

• The Deputy Chief Minister (Deputy CM) position is a political role, not given  in the Constitution like the Vice President of India.
• It evolved from the Deputy Prime Minister’s post, first held by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel after India’s independence in 1947.

Appointment and Authority: 

• The Chief Minister (CM) has complete discretion to appoint or remove a Deputy CM. 
• There can be multiple Deputy CMs in a state, as seen in Maharashtra with two and Andhra Pradesh with five.

Tenure: 

• The Deputy CM does not have a fixed term. Their tenure is subject to the CM’s decisions, who can reshuffle the cabinet or remove the Deputy CM at any time.

Powers of Deputy CM:

• Rank and Privileges: The Deputy CM’s rank is on par with that of a Cabinet Minister within the state, enjoying the same pay and benefits.
  •  It is considered the second-highest executive position in the State Council of Ministers.
• Financial Authority: The Deputy CM does not possess any unique financial powers and shares the same financial authority as other Cabinet Ministers.

Why in News:

• The Supreme Court recently turned down a petition challenging the appointment of deputy chief ministers in state governments as unconstitutional.
• The Court stated that the Deputy Chief Minister was firstly a minister within the state government and the position was merely a label and nothing more.