Article 169: Vacation of office of Chief Minister and Minister

1) The office of the Chief Minister shall be vacant in any of the following circumstances:

(a) If he or she tenders resignation in writing to the Chief of State,

(b) If a vote of no-confidence is passed against him or her under Article 188 or a vote of confidence is not passed,

(c) if he or she ceases to be a member of the State Assembly,

(d) If he or she dies.

2) The office of a Minister shall be vacant in any of the following circumstances:

(a) If he or she tenders resignation in writing to the Chief Minister,

(b) If the Chief Minister removes him or her from office,

(c) If the office of the Chief Minister falls vacant under sub-clause (a), (b) or (c) of clause (1), or

(d) If he or she dies.

3) Even though the office of the Chief Minister falls vacant under clause (1), the same Council of Ministers shall continue to act until another State Council of Ministers is constituted.

Provided that if the Chief Minister dies, the senior-most Minister shall act as the Chief Minister until a new Chief Minister is appointed.