In the parliamentary system of government, the chief minister is treated as the "first among equals" in the cabinet; the position of deputy chief minister is used to bring political stability and strength within a coalition government.

The appointment of deputy chief minister is done by the ruling party only to maintain balance in the political situation.

There is no fixed number for the post of deputy chief minister, in any state it can be made two, three or even more.

Similarly, after the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, two deputy chief ministers Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya were appointed under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to correct the electoral equations.

Babu Narain Singh Gurjar was first deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.