Leader of the House
Topic: Parliament: Composition, Powers and Law-making · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Leader of the House leads the government's side in a House of Parliament. In the Lok Sabha, this is the Prime Minister if the PM is a Lok Sabha member. If not, it is a minister the PM nominates. In the Rajya Sabha, it is a minister who is a member there, nominated by the PM. With the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and the whips (party officials who make sure members vote with the party), the Leader plans and runs government business in the House.
Example
When the Prime Minister sits in the Lok Sabha, the PM is the Leader of the Lok Sabha. A senior minister who is a Rajya Sabha member serves as Leader of the Rajya Sabha.
Don't confuse with
- Leader of the Opposition: the leader of the largest opposition party, recognised by the presiding officer. The post has had legal status and cabinet rank since 1977.
- Speaker / Chairman: the presiding officers, who run the House neutrally. They do not lead the government's side.