The ________ allocates ranks and portfolios to the ministers in the states.

The correct answer is Chief minister.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister of a state suggests the allocation of portfolios, but the official power to assign portfolios to the cabinet ministers rests with the Governor.
• It's important to note that the Governor exercises this function as a part of his or her formal powers and acts on the advice of the Chief Minister.
• Chief Minister is the real executive authority i.e., de facto executive.
• The Constitution does not contain any specific procedure for the selection and appointment of the Chief Minister.
• Article 164 only says that the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the governor.
• The governor has to appoint the leader of the majority party in the state legislative assembly as the Chief Minister.
• But, when no party has a clear majority in the assembly, then the governor may exercise his personal discretion and then ask him to prove the majority within a reasonable period.