Ans.
- The statement "Members of the Council of Ministers swim and sink together" refers to the principle of Collective Responsibility under Article 164(2) of the Constitution of India. It implies that:
- The entire Council of Ministers is collectively responsible for the decision of any one minister.
- A decision taken by one minister is treated as the collective decision of all ministers.
- Every Cabinet decision is binding on the entire Council of Ministers.
- No minister can publicly oppose a Cabinet decision.
- If one minister commits a serious mistake, the entire Council of Ministers may be held responsible, and the Chief Minister may seek the resignation of the concerned minister or, if necessary, the entire Council.
- Even if a minister personally disagrees with a decision, they must defend and support it in the Legislative Assembly. This is the essence of collective responsibility.