With reference to the Prime Minister of India, answer the following questions:

(a) How can we say that the Prime Minister occupies a unique position in the Parliament?

(b) State any three powers of the Prime Minister as a Chairperson of the Cabinet?

(c) Mention three ways in which the Constitution ensures the pre-eminent position of the Prime Minister in relation to the Union Council of Ministers.

(a) The Prime Minister occupies a unique position in the Parliament as can be seen by the following points-

1. Leader of the Lok Sabha — As the Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament, he is said to be the leader of the House.
2. Spokesperson of the Government — The Prime Minister is the chief spokesman of the Government in the Parliament. He makes all important announcements on national policies on the floor of the House.
3. Defender of Government Policies — The Prime Minister defends the Government in the Parliament. When a policy or a Minister comes under attack in the Parliament, the Prime Minister comes to defend the issue involved.
4. Intervention in case of Controversial Issues — There are some controversial issues like the language issue, Centre-State relations, price-rise and atrocities on women over which members lose their temper. If an ugly situation arises in any of the Houses, the matter generally ends with the intervention of the Prime Minister.

(b) Three powers of the Prime Minister as a Chairperson of the Cabinet are as follows-

1. Power to Allocate Portfolios and to Reshuffle the Council of Ministers — It is the Prime Minister who allocates departments or portfolios to the Ministers. He can reshuffle his Council of Ministers whenever he pleases.
2. Power to Select and Dismiss Ministers — The Prime Minister chooses the Ministers and has the power to dismiss them too. He can ask an erring Minister to resign.
3. Power to Direct and Coordinate Policy — The Prime Minister coordinates the working of various departments so that administration is carried on smoothly. In critical matters such as, foreign, defence, economic and technological affairs, he coordinates the policy of the Government.

(c) Three ways in which the Constitution ensures the pre-eminent position of the Prime Minister in relation to the Union Council of Ministers are as follows-

1. Appointment of Council of Ministers — The Prime Minister chooses the ministers and, on his advice, the President appoints them.
2. Power to Allocate Portfolios and to Reshuffle the Council of Ministers — It is the Prime Minister who allocates departments or portfolios to the Ministers. He can reshuffle his Council of Ministers whenever he pleases.
3. Power to Dismiss Ministers — The Prime Minister has the power to dismiss the ministers. He can ask an erring Minister to resign.