NEW DELHI: Former chief economic adviser Ashok Lahiri is set to be named the new vice-chairman of Niti Aayog, replacing Suman Bery. Gobardhan Das, the director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, is to be nominated as a member of the govt’s premier think tank. Lahiri is currently a BJP MLA from Balurghat, but is not contesting the 2026 assembly polls. Das, a former JNU professor, had contested from Purbasthali Uttar constituency in the 2021 state polls as a BJP candidate. The two appointments come amid polls in West Bengal with the second round of voting on Wednesday and will be seen as an overture to the electorate. Appointments seen as part of long-awaited Niti revampSignificantly, Das is a Dalit and had allegedly faced attacks from TMC cadres in the violence that followed the 2021 elections in Bengal.The appointments are seen as part of a long-awaited overhaul of Niti Aayog, where Bery, a surprise pick, has been at the helm for four years. On several occasions, the Modi administration was seen to have bypassed Bery and dealt directly with the members or the CEO.Lahiri will bring his training as an economist and a policymaker to Niti Aayog, which has a part-time CEO after BVR Subrahmanyam’s exit last month. Lahiri is a career economist who taught at Delhi School of Economics and worked at the World Bank and IMF before returning to the finance ministry in the late 1990s. He then went on to head the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy and was the chief economic adviser and subsequently a member of the 15th Finance Commission. He is seen as among the pioneers in the filed psephologist and co-authored ‘India Decides’ that mapped elections from 1952 to 1989.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why does Aloo Bhujia stick to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looks123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: Former chief economic adviser Ashok Lahiri is set to be named the new vice-chairman of Niti Aayog, replacing Suman Bery. Gobardhan Das, the director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, is to be nominated as a member of the govt’s premier think tank. Lahiri is currently a BJP MLA from Balurghat, but is not contesting the 2026 assembly polls. Das, a former JNU professor, had contested from Purbasthali Uttar constituency in the 2021 state polls as a BJP candidate. The two appointments come amid polls in West Bengal with the second round of voting on Wednesday and will be seen as an overture to the electorate.
Appointments seen as part of long-awaited Niti revamp
Significantly, Das is a Dalit and had allegedly faced attacks from TMC cadres in the violence that followed the 2021 elections in Bengal.The appointments are seen as part of a long-awaited overhaul of Niti Aayog, where Bery, a surprise pick, has been at the helm for four years. On several occasions, the Modi administration was seen to have bypassed Bery and dealt directly with the members or the CEO.Lahiri will bring his training as an economist and a policymaker to Niti Aayog, which has a part-time CEO after BVR Subrahmanyam’s exit last month. Lahiri is a career economist who taught at Delhi School of Economics and worked at the World Bank and IMF before returning to the finance ministry in the late 1990s. He then went on to head the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy and was the chief economic adviser and subsequently a member of the 15th Finance Commission. He is seen as among the pioneers in the filed psephologist and co-authored ‘India Decides’ that mapped elections from 1952 to 1989.
