Montek meets PM, FM; says it was just a personal call

Montek Singh Ahluwalia met PM Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram today amid speculation that he may be picked for a key assignment in the new government. ‘‘This was a personal call,’’ Ahluwalia told The Indian Express.

‘‘My wife and I called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife. Honestly, no specifics have been discussed and it is not as if anyone has offered me any specific role. If there is any such thing that the Indian media is speculating about, they should ask the principals involved. I have nothing to say. I have known and worked with Manmohan Singh and was just meeting him in my personal capacity.’’ The former finance secretary did, however, laud the Manmohan-Chidambaram team.

‘‘There is a lot of goodwill for both PM and Finance Minister. They were part of the original reform team,’’ he said after meeting Chidambaram. Ahluwalia is here till Tuesday evening. Thereafter, he would fly to Beijing to participate in a conference. Asked if he had any more meetings lined up, Ahluwalia said: ‘‘I am available in India during these days if anyone wants to contact me.’’ Speculation about Ahluwalia’s possible assignments range from the post of economic advisor to the PM or Chidambaram to deputy chairmanship of the Planning Commission.