While the President is the Head of the State, the Prime Minister is the Head of the Government. In this connection, explain the following

(a) Who becomes the Prime Minister after new elections?

(b) What are his functions or powers?

(c) Explain his relation with the Council of Ministers.

(a) The leader of the political party securing absolute majority in the Lok Sabha is appointed by the President as the Prime Minister. When no political party or coalition of parties enjoys a majority in Lok Sabha, only then the President has discretion in inviting the leader of a party or coalition of parties to form government, who in his opinion, is able to form a stable government.

(b) The functions of the Prime minister are given below:

1. He communicates to the President all the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration and legislation. He is a link between the President and the cabinet.
2. portfolios of the Ministers and assigns the ranks of the Ministers. He can transfer a minister from one department to another, and if necessary may even ask a minister to resign.
3. The Prime Minister is the chief spokesman and defender of the government.
4. He decides on India's internal and foreign policies.
5. He is the ex-officio chairman of the Planning Commission.

(c) The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers are appointed by the President on his advice. The entire Council of Ministers works as a team with the Prime Minister acting as the skipper. All the meetings of the Council as a whole or of the Cabinet are presided over by the Prime Minister. The Ministers are individually responsible to the Prime Minister.