Deputy Chief Minister

May 22, 2023

In a significant political development, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress party president, announced Siddaramaiah as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. This decision concluded the contest primarily between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, who was subsequently appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister at the swearing-in ceremony.

Understanding Article 164 and the Deputy CM’s Position

Article 164 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of the states’ council of ministers. While it specifies the appointment of the Chief Minister by the Governor, it does not explicitly mention the Deputy Chief Minister’s post. However, the Deputy CM is generally considered equivalent to the rank of a cabinet minister and enjoys similar privileges and perks.

Anugrah Narayan Sinha: The First Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar

Anugrah Narayan Sinha, a prominent leader from Bihar, holds the distinction of being the first Deputy Chief Minister in independent India. Serving between 1937 and 1939, and later from 1946 to 1952, Sinha played a crucial role in shaping modern Bihar and its politics. He concurrently held the finance portfolio while serving as the Deputy Premier and Deputy CM.

Current Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar

Tejashwi Prasad Yadav currently holds the position of Deputy Chief Minister in Bihar. As a leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest party in the State Assembly, Yadav plays a significant role in the Mahagathbandhan alliance government, with Nitish Kumar serving as the Chief Minister.

Deputy Chief Ministers in Other States

Ram Prakash Gupta served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in an SVD government under Chaudhary Charan Singh.
Chander Mohan, son of former CM Bhajan Lal, held the position from 2005 to 2008 in the Congress government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Haryana.
Dushyant Chautala, a leader of the Jannayak Janata Party, has been the Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana since 2017, in the BJP-led government of Manohar Lal Khattar.

The Presence of Deputy Chief Ministers in India

Currently, 10 states (excluding Karnataka) in India have MLAs occupying the Deputy CM chair. This highlights the significance of this position in state governments across the country. Moreover, in multi-party coalition governments and states with diverse political landscapes, the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers becomes crucial for balancing interests and maintaining stability.

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