Presidential Discretion

Despite being the Constitutional Head of State, who is not supposed to be vested with any real powers, the President of India can at times exercise his discretion, namely, in the choice of a Prime Minister, acceptance of ministerial advice, dismissal of a government, and dissolution of Parliament. This book examines the discretionary powers of the President of India. It is replete with examplesmainly drawn from India, the Commonwealth countries, and Great Britainof actual instances of exercise of such powers by a constitutional sovereign. For instance, the book flags the crucial role a President can play in the event of a hung parliament. It leans heavily on authorities as well as judgments of Supreme Courts and High Courts (of select jurisdictions), without becoming too ponderous and legalistic. It also draws on biographical materials, both of Indian Presidents as well as British Sovereigns, to explain how different political situations were tackled by them, and which can be used as signposts for the future. Further, the work critically analyses the use of discretionary power in certain instances by former Presidents.