"This is Prime Minister's prerogative after Pranab Mukherjee's election as President. Naturally there was a vacancy in the Finance Ministry so the changes have been effected"," party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.
Chidambaram was today made the Finance Minister as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh effected a minor reshuffle in portfolios in the Union Cabinet, necessitated by the exit of Pranab Mukherjee last month.
According to the announcement, Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde is the new Home Minister in place of Chidambaram.
Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily was given the additional charge of Power Ministry.