Discuss the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India with reference to the following:

(a) His relations with the President under Parliamentary form of Government

(b) His position in the Parliament

(a) Prime Minister is the link between the Cabinet and the President.

1. The decisions of the Cabinet are conveyed to President through the Prime Minister.
2. It is he who keeps the President informed on all matters of government.
3. It is on the advice of the Prime Minister that the President summons and prorogues Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha.
4. It may happen that a Minister has taken a decision on some matter which has not been considered by the Council of Ministers. If so, the President may ask the Prime Minister to submit the matter for consideration of the Council.
5. The President can not remove a Prime Minister so long as he enjoys confidence and support of the majority in Lok Sabha.

(b) The Prime Minister occupies a unique position in the Parliament as-

1. It is on the advice of the Prime Minister that the President "summons and prorogues Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha."
2. The Prime Minister is the "principal spokesman" and defender of the Government in Parliament. It is he who makes all important announcements of national policies on the floor of the House.
3. Sometimes Ministers' work comes under severe attack in the House. It is the Prime Minister who saves his Ministers from an ugly or unpleasant situation in the House.
4. There are issues like caste wars, corruption by people in positions of authority, price-rise and terrorist attack in the Kashmir Valley which agitated the MPs. If MPs are angry or upset about something, the matter generally ends with the intervention of the Prime Minister.