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Ashok Lahiri Named NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman; Gobardhan Das Named Member
Renowned economist Ashok Lahiri, a BJP MLA from West Bengal and former chief economic adviser to the Government of India, has been named NITI Aayog vice-chairman, with Gobardhan Das appointed as a member. Lahiri would be the second-ranking official in the think tank after PM Modi; formal appointments are expected soon. The announcement comes amid West Bengal elections in which BJP and Trinamool Congress are contesting.
Why It Matters
This marks a notable expansion of NITI Aayog leadership with appointments from West Bengal, potentially affecting policy direction at India's key think tank.
Timeline
1 Event
Ashok Lahiri and Gobardhan Das named to NITI Aayog roles
April 24, 2026
Government sources said economist Ashok Lahiri, a BJP MLA from West Bengal and former chief economic adviser to the Government of India as well as a member of the 15th Finance Commission, has been named NITI Aayog vice-chairman, to be second only to the Prime Minister as chairman of the think tank. Scientist Gobardhan Das is named a NITI Aayog member and will head the role alongside Lahiri. Das is the director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, and was previously a professor and chair of the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Lahiri’s appointment comes as West Bengal elections are underway, with campaigning between the Trinamool Congress and BJP ongoing. Formal appointments are expected soon, according to government sources.