In his note dated 12 January 1948, Patel questioned Nehru’s interpretation of the prime minister’s role as inconsistent with a democratic system of government, for it would raise him ‘to the position of a virtual dictator’. Patel said the prime minister was no doubt ‘first among equals’, but he had no overriding powers over his colleagues ‘as responsibility for implementing policy decisions rested with the ministry concerned and on the minister in charge’.
