Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the International Monetary Fund, who has been charged with a criminal sex act and is under arrest in the United States, has resigned from his position, leaving the global financial body to hunt for a new chief.
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, whose name was being strongly suggested by global newspapers as the possible next chief of IMF, meanwhile distanced himself from speculations that he was in the race for the post saying that he is not a candidate.
The fact that emerging market economies, given their rising economic power, have been demanding a greater role in international financial bodies only lent credence to the buzz that someone from outside the United States or Europe could head the IMF.
However, Ahluwalia is reported to have stated that he was not running for the coveted position.
So who could be the next chief of the IMF? Here are some candidates who could possibly lead the global financial organisation.
Image: India's Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia at a national conference with ministers of environment and forests in New Delhi.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Britain's former prime minister Gordon Brown is a likely candidate to lead the IMF in the post-Strauss-Kahn era.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
France's Economy Minister Christine Lagarde is another person who could be named the IMF chief.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Segolene Royal, French Socialist Party member and Poitou-Charentes' regional president, too is in the race for the top IMF post.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Francois Hollande, president of the General Council of Correze and Socialist party member, is another strong candidate for the IMF managing director's post.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Former French Socialist mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe also has the right credentials to lead the IMF.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Martine Aubry, France's Socialist Party leader, is another name from France being bandied about as a possible successor to Strauss-Kahn at the IMF.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Mohamed El-Erian, chief executive officer and co-chief investment officer, Pacific Investment Management Co, is another name could be considered to head the IMF.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Laurent Fabius, former French Socialist prime minister, is yet another Frenchman whose candidature was being looked at as the one to lead the IMF.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Stanley Fischer, the Governor of the Bank of Israel, could well be the man to head the IMF.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Turkey's former economy minister Kemal Dervis, architect of Turkey's multi-billion dollar IMF rescue plan, is also yet another strong candidate for the top IMF job.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck might end up beating all candidates and could well be appointed the IMF chief.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Mexico's Secretary of Finance Agustin Carstens is also a strong candidate for the post of the managing director of the IMF.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Or could it be South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel who heads the IMF? Time will tell.
Photograph: Reuters
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Who among these will head the IMF now?
Axel Weber, President of German Bundesbank, is one more name that is doing the rounds on who could now take up the reins at the IMF.
Watch this space.
Photograph: Reuters
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