Economic crisis to form Cabinet backdrop

The race for Cabinet berths in the new government started off on Sunday, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear that deft management of the economic crisis topped his concern.

Speaking at the first meeting of the Congress Working Committee after the elections, Singh said the new government will assume responsibility in the backdrop of the deep global economic recession. Party circles interpreted this as a signal that the Prime Minister is keen to get “technocrat” Montek Singh Ahluwalia as the finance minister. Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, had been a candidate for finance minister even earlier, as he has drafted the three economic stimulus packages the government rolled out after the global crisis began.

Speaking to Indian Express, Ahluwalia said the media reports were all speculation. Incidentally, the finance ministry, in expectation of the presentation of a quick Budget, has slotted several pre-Budget meetings this week, including one with the CII on Monday.

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