The leader of the party that commands absolute majority in the Vidhan Sabha is appointed by the Governor as the Chief Minister. When no party secures the required majority, the Governor uses his discretion in appointing the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister prepares a list of his colleagues to from the council of ministers and submits it to the Governor.
Powers and Functions of the Chief Minister:
The powers and functions of the Chief Minister are, in most respects, similar to those of the Prime Minister at the Centre. The only difference lies in the jurisdiction over which they exercise their powers.
The Chief Minister who is also the leader of the ruling party chooses the members of his council and allots portfolio is to them, presides over all meetings, can ask an erring minister to resign; and is the prime spokesman of the government.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Relations between the Two Houses of the State Legislature:
The relations between both the Houses are quite the same as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. An ordinary bill can originate in any of the Houses. But the Upper House can keep it only for a period of three months in the first instance. In the second instance, it can hold it only for a month and then return it to the Lower House. Due to the strength of the Lower House, it is the will of the latter that prevails. The upper House can veto it only temporarily.
A money bill can only be introduced in the Lower House or the Vidhan Sabha. The Upper House can only keep it for 14 days. It then passes it to the Vidhan Sabha which, in turn, seeds it to the Governor for his assent.
The power to topple the government rests only with the Vidhan Sabha.