Pranab Mukherjee, the 77-year-old veteran Congress leader with 43 years of parliamentary experience, was named as the
presidential candidate of the UPA by ruling alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi at a meeting of the leaders of the Congress and its partners, including the DMK, RLD, NCP, NC and IUML on Friday.
As
Pranab moves out to join the presidential poll race, we take a look at possible names of leaders who can replace Mukherjee as next finance minister.
DOMINO 1Who will be FM after Pranab?
P. Chidambaram
He has been finance minister twice before. Given current economic downturn, the ministry could do with an experienced hand. He has good equations with top industrialists. Sources in home ministry say Sonia Gandhi has shot down the idea of moving him back to finance. Allegations against him in 2G scam and Aircel-Maxis deal have become roadblocks. His election case might compound his problems.
Jairam Ramesh
The rural development minister is said to be eyeing the post, but is not senior enough. His bluntness and propensity to shoot his mouth are also a big disadvantage.
Kamal Nath
The urban development minister & former commerce & industry minister is a contender, too. He has the experience and expertise, though he is out of favour with 10 Janpath these days.
Anand Sharma
He holds the commerce portfolio and has evinced interest. But given his lack of seniority, he is unlikely to pass muster with number 10.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia
PM is keen on the Planning Commission deputy chairman. But Montek has almost nixed his chances after the row over his proposed poverty ceiling. Also, since Lok Sabha polls are just two years away, Sonia may push for a politician as FM.
C. Rangarajan
The ex-RBI governor is PM's economic adviser and has the necessary credentials. PM will prefer a technocrat like him but his chances appear to be slim.
DOMINO 2If PC moves to finmin,who will be home minister?
Ghulam Nabi Azad
The health minister's name is doing the rounds. At a time when law enforcement agencies are facing flak for alleged harassment of Muslims, having a Muslim home minister will be a good signal to send.
Sushil Kumar Shinde: A Sonia loyalist, power minister is another possible candidate.
DOMINO 3Who will replace Pranab as leader of the House in Lok Sabha?
Sushil Kumar Shinde
The power minister's name is doing the rounds. But the fact that his name came up in the Adarsh housing society scam could go against him
Kamal Nath
Being a senior minister and seasoned politician, his name is being speculated upon. Dealing with a raucous Opposition in the House will be a tough task, though.
DOMINO 4
A.K. Antony
Chidambaram agreed to head home ministry after the 26/11 terror attack rather reluctantly. In the new rejig, he may be given a choice to move to South Block as defence minister if he insists on relinquishing home ministry. In that case defence minister A.K. Antony (L) will replace him in home.
Courtesy: Mail Today
Pranab Mukherjee <em>Photo: AP</em> 
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