P CHIDAMBARAM: Another strong contender for the finance minister's post is the Harvard-educated lawyer-turned-politician P Chidambaram. He was instrumental in following the economic reforms initiated by Manmohan Singh.
Chidambaram was India's finance minister from 1996 to 1998. He has also held the post of commerce minister. Although no one expected miracles from the United Front government, Chidambaram was one of the most successful ministers, showing commitment to the reforms programme despite facing obstacles from the coalition partners.
One of his popular moves was the voluntary disclosure of income scheme to check tax evasion.
During his 'dream budget' in 1996, he lowered import tariffs and cut tax rates. Although he was away from the scheme of things in the Congress for a while, his victory form Tamil Nadu almost ensured a Cabinet rank in the new government. If that is a finance portfolio, the market and pro-reformers have reason to celebrate.
Photo: Ashok Vahie