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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.
