Chief Minister of Delhi
Encyclopedia
The Chief Minister
of Delhi ) is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in Delhi assembly
. The Chief Minister leads the executive branch
of the Government of Delhi
.
The leader of party with the largest representation of seats in the unicameral Legislative Assembly of Delhi
usually takes on the role. Delhi and Pondicherry are the only union territories of India, which have given partial statehood according to Seventh Schedule of the Constitution in which Delhi is defined as National Capital Territory of India
or NCT-Delhi. Due to this special right of partial statehood, unlike other union territories which are governed by special administrators appointed by the President of India
, governments of Delhi and Pondicherry both are headed by their respective chief minister
s and Lieutenant Governors, appointed by the president act as the head of state
. The incumbent chief minister is Sheila Dikshit
, who is the India’s longest serving woman chief minister of India
conducts assembly elections in the National Capital Territory of Delhi by universal adult suffrage
, in which the Delhi's electorate choose the members of the Vidhan Sabha
(or Legislative/State Assembly). Aspirant member is either the nominee of any political party or run as an independent candidate
. As of 2011, only two political parties, BJP
and Congress
, have governed Delhi.
. The selected leader of the assembly is appointed as the chief minister by the lieutenant governor, who also administer the oath of office
.
sets the principle qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the Chief Minister.
A Chief Minister must be:
A person shall not be eligible for election as Chief Minister if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.
, Central government
approved more autonomy for Delhi's government, which made it able to make its own law and regulations; but still certain categories of bills, however, require the prior approval of the central government for introduction in the legislative assembly. Some Bills, passed by the legislative assembly of the Delhi are required to be reserved for consideration and assent of the President.
The chief minister is the most senior minister
of cabinet
in the executive
branch of government
in a legislative assembly. The chief minister selects and can dismiss other members of the cabinet; allocates posts to members within the Government; is the presiding member and chairman of the cabinet and is responsible for bringing proposal of legislation.
Chief Minister (India)
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a state of India. The chief minister is the head of the state Cabinet, and the leader of the state Legislature. By the Constitution of India, the chief minister is appointed by the Governor of the state....
of Delhi ) is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in Delhi assembly
Legislative Assembly of Delhi
The Legislative Assembly of Delhi, also known as Vidhan Sabha, is a unicameral law making body of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, one of the 7 union territories in India...
. The Chief Minister leads the executive branch
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
of the Government of Delhi
Government of Delhi
The Government of Delhi is the supreme governing authority of the Indian national capital territory of Delhi and its 9 districts. It consists of an executive, led by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, a judiciary and a legislative...
.
The leader of party with the largest representation of seats in the unicameral Legislative Assembly of Delhi
Legislative Assembly of Delhi
The Legislative Assembly of Delhi, also known as Vidhan Sabha, is a unicameral law making body of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, one of the 7 union territories in India...
usually takes on the role. Delhi and Pondicherry are the only union territories of India, which have given partial statehood according to Seventh Schedule of the Constitution in which Delhi is defined as National Capital Territory of India
National Capital Region (India)
The National Capital Region in India is a name for the conurbation or metropolitan area which encompasses the entire National Capital Territory of Delhi as well as urban areas ringing it in neighbouring states of Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan...
or NCT-Delhi. Due to this special right of partial statehood, unlike other union territories which are governed by special administrators appointed by the President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
, governments of Delhi and Pondicherry both are headed by their respective chief minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
s and Lieutenant Governors, appointed by the president act as the head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
. The incumbent chief minister is Sheila Dikshit
Sheila Dikshit
Sheila Dikshit is the Chief Minister of Delhi. She is from the Indian National Congress. Dikshit was sworn in as the Chief Minister for a third consecutive term of the Government of Delhi state in January 2009 after pulling a victory in November 2008 state elections...
, who is the India’s longest serving woman chief minister of India
Election
After every five years Delhi State Election Commission under the supervision of Election Commission of IndiaElection Commission of India
The Election Commission of India is an autonomous, quasi-judiciary constitutional body of India. Its mission is to conduct free and fair elections in India...
conducts assembly elections in the National Capital Territory of Delhi by universal adult suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
, in which the Delhi's electorate choose the members of the Vidhan Sabha
Vidhan Sabha
The Vidhan Sabha or the Legislative Assembly is the lower house or the sole house of the provincial legislature in the different states of India. The same name is also used for the lower house of the legislatures for two of the union territories, Delhi and Pondicherry...
(or Legislative/State Assembly). Aspirant member is either the nominee of any political party or run as an independent candidate
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. As of 2011, only two political parties, BJP
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament...
and Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
, have governed Delhi.
Appointment of Cabinet and Chief Minister
To conceive the government, any party must have to won majority of assembly seats (the minimum count is 36). After that lieutenant governor invites the party for making the government within the limited period of time, in this period majority party's winning members have to choose their leader for the post of chief minister and other members of the cabinetCabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
. The selected leader of the assembly is appointed as the chief minister by the lieutenant governor, who also administer the oath of office
Oath of office
An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations...
.
Eligibility
Article 84 of the ConstitutionConstitution of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...
sets the principle qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the Chief Minister.
A Chief Minister must be:
- a citizen of India.
- should be a member of the Legislative Assembly of DelhiLegislative Assembly of DelhiThe Legislative Assembly of Delhi, also known as Vidhan Sabha, is a unicameral law making body of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, one of the 7 union territories in India...
. - minimum of the age of 30
A person shall not be eligible for election as Chief Minister if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.
Role and Power of the Chief Minister
On January 2, 1992 after passing the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi act in parliamentParliament of India
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in India. Founded in 1919, the Parliament alone possesses legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all political bodies in India. The Parliament of India comprises the President and the two Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha...
, Central government
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
approved more autonomy for Delhi's government, which made it able to make its own law and regulations; but still certain categories of bills, however, require the prior approval of the central government for introduction in the legislative assembly. Some Bills, passed by the legislative assembly of the Delhi are required to be reserved for consideration and assent of the President.
The chief minister is the most senior minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
of cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
in the executive
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
branch of government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
in a legislative assembly. The chief minister selects and can dismiss other members of the cabinet; allocates posts to members within the Government; is the presiding member and chairman of the cabinet and is responsible for bringing proposal of legislation.
List of Chief Ministers of Delhi
This is a complete list of the chief ministers of the Delhi, assumed office from 1952 to till now.| # | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaudhary Brahm Prakash | 1952 | 1955 |  Indian National CongressIndian National Congress The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian... |
| 2 | G N Singh G N Singh G. N. Sharma was the second chief minister of the Delhi from 1955 to 1956 and was a Congress leader. He was the successor of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash and assumed office in 1955 just for one year, after that Indian Government passed a bill in the parliament which made Delhi a Union Territory; due to... |
1955 | 1956 | Indian National Congress Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian... |
| † | — | 1956 | 1993 | President's Rule President's rule President's rule is the term used in India when a state legislature is dissolved or suspended and the state is placed under direct federal rule... |
| 3 | Madan Lal Khurana Madan Lal Khurana Madan Lal Khurana is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Delhi. He has also served as the Governor of Rajasthan.-Early life:... |
1993 | 1996 |  Bharatiya Janata PartyBharatiya Janata Party The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament... |
| 4 | Sahib Singh Verma Sahib Singh Verma Sahib Singh Verma was an Indian politician of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He served as Chief Minister of Delhi and was member of 13th Lok Sabha, Parliament of India... |
1996 | 1998 | Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament... |
| 5 | Sushma Swaraj Sushma Swaraj Sushma Swaraj is an Indian politician of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Member of Parliament. She is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha. She is a former union cabinet minister of India and a former Chief Minister of Delhi. Also she served as the Chairperson of the BJP's... |
1998 | 1998 | Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament... |
| 6 | Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit is the Chief Minister of Delhi. She is from the Indian National Congress. Dikshit was sworn in as the Chief Minister for a third consecutive term of the Government of Delhi state in January 2009 after pulling a victory in November 2008 state elections... |
1998 | 2003 |  Indian National CongressIndian National Congress The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian... |
| 7 | Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit is the Chief Minister of Delhi. She is from the Indian National Congress. Dikshit was sworn in as the Chief Minister for a third consecutive term of the Government of Delhi state in January 2009 after pulling a victory in November 2008 state elections... |
2003 | 2008 | Indian National Congress Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian... |
| 8 | Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit is the Chief Minister of Delhi. She is from the Indian National Congress. Dikshit was sworn in as the Chief Minister for a third consecutive term of the Government of Delhi state in January 2009 after pulling a victory in November 2008 state elections... |
2008 | Incumbent | Indian National Congress Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian... |
| † Delhi was a Union Territory (without any statehood right) 1956-1993. | ||||
See also
- Government of DelhiGovernment of DelhiThe Government of Delhi is the supreme governing authority of the Indian national capital territory of Delhi and its 9 districts. It consists of an executive, led by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, a judiciary and a legislative...
- Legislative Assembly of DelhiLegislative Assembly of DelhiThe Legislative Assembly of Delhi, also known as Vidhan Sabha, is a unicameral law making body of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, one of the 7 union territories in India...
- Delhi state assembly elections, 2008Delhi state assembly elections, 2008The Delhi state assembly elections 2008, which were held in November 2008 for Legislative Assembly of Delhi, led to the formation of Sheila Dixit's government of Indian National Congress.-November '2008:-External links:* *...
- List of Chief Ministers in India
- Chief Minister (India)Chief Minister (India)A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a state of India. The chief minister is the head of the state Cabinet, and the leader of the state Legislature. By the Constitution of India, the chief minister is appointed by the Governor of the state....