Pranabda in Prez chair may cost economy dear: Sources

Pranab Mukherjee will accomplish a political turnaround if he does move to Rashtrapati Bhawan. But what will this change mean for an already sagging economy?

More importantly with Mukeherjee heading crucial EGoMs and GoMs, will desicion making be the biggest casualty? CNBC-TV18's Aakansha Sethi, quoting sources, looks at how the balance of power will change with the chair of the finance minister falling vacant. Also watch the accompanying video
Pranab Mukherjee, finance minister, commented, "I will do as the party decides." Pranab Mukherjee's ambitions in moving to the top of Raisina Hill have been no secret. But will his exit from North Block do more harm to an already struggling economy?
Within the finance ministry, the buzz has never been stronger. Senior bureaucrats are rushing to get proposals signed, fearing that decisions may be held off when the announcement for the nominees is made on June 27. But can the economy afford delayed decisions?
Politically sensitive decisions like FDI in retail, civil aviation, the insurance Bill and fuel price reform are likely to be held off till Mukherjee becomes President. Sources say political wrangling over the new resident of Rashtrpati Bhawan may see the government clamp down on measures that could alienate allies further.
More importantly, Mukherjee heads all the empowered groups of ministers set up except that of the Tsnuami Rehabilitation Programme, headed by home minister P Chidambaram. From the EGoM on 3G spectrum to the EGoM on UMPPs, to gas pricing, the finance minister has his hands full. Mukhrejee also heads 15 groups of ministers. 
Sources say that former finance minister P Chidamabaram may make a come back or the Prime Minister will hold the finance portfolio. There are also murmurs of Jairam Ramesh moving to North Block. In the end, it is Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi who holds the key to Pranab Mukherjee's future and the economy.