Deputy Prime Minister of India

The Deputy Prime Minister of India (DPM) is a member of the Indian cabinet in the Indian government. The post itself seldom carries any specific powers. Generally a Deputy PM also holds other key portfolios like Home Minister or Finance Minister. Though the Indian Constitution does not specify the position and with the Prime Minister himself being treated as "first among equals" in the cabinet, the position of DPM is sometimes used by governments to bring political stability and strength by including a powerful individual, or in times of national emergency, when a proper chain of command is necessary. The first Deputy Prime Minister was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The last person to hold this post was L.K.Advani of the previous government. The current government does not have a Deputy Prime Minister.

Related Topics:
India - Indian government - Home Minister - Finance Minister - Indian Constitution - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - L.K.Advani

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The Deputy Prime Minister in reality has no power except chairing the Cabinet meetings in the absence of the PM. Only if the PM is taken ill seriously, incapacitated or in the event of his death, does the DPM take the same level of responsibility.

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