Ashok Lahiri, a Bengali economist, has been appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog by the Central Government. Prime Minister Modi has weakened the “anti-Bengali” weapon of the Trinamool with this appointment. A scientist from Bengal was also admitted as a member. The Trinamool has consistently claimed that the BJP is a “anti-Bengali” party during the current Assembly election campaign.
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BJP Blunts Trinamool’s “Anti-Bengali” Weapon
On Friday, the Modi government announced the appointment of Ashok—the outgoing BJP MLA from Balurghat and a renowned economist—as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. Immediately upon assuming the role of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ashok Lahiri met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Centre also appointed the Bengali scientist Gobardhan Das as a member of NITI Aayog. With these appointments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP effectively blunted the TMC’s “anti-Bengali” narrative—a weapon frequently wielded against them. Subsequently, Modi extended his congratulations to both Ashok and Gobardhan on their new responsibilities through a social media post written in Bengali.
From Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee to the party’s second-in-command, Abhishek Banerjee—leaders at all levels have leveled numerous allegations against the BJP; chief among these is the accusation that the BJP is an “anti-Bengali” party. Throughout the campaign for the current Assembly elections, the Trinamool has repeatedly asserted that the BJP is an “anti-Bengali” outfit. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to entrust Ashok Lahiri with responsibilities within NITI Aayog—specifically by appointing him as a member—is being viewed as highly significant. Many observers believe that, through this move, the Centre is attempting to largely neutralize the “anti-Bengali” narrative that has been weaponized against the BJP. By virtue of his office, Prime Minister Modi serves as the Chairman of NITI Aayog; immediately following him, the second-highest position within the institution has now been accorded to economist Ashok Lahiri.
On Saturday, following his meeting with Ashok Lahiri, Prime Minister Modi extended his greetings through posts—first in English and subsequently in Bengali. In his post, he wrote, “NITI Aayog stands as a pivotal pillar in the country’s policymaking landscape. It strengthens the federal structure and drives the nation forward through various reform-oriented initiatives. It contributes to making the ease of living even simpler. It serves as a platform for diverse innovative and long-term strategic planning.” Accompanying this post, Modi further added, “The government has reconstituted NITI Aayog. I extend my heartfelt best wishes to Ashok Kumar Lahiri as he assumes the responsibility of its Vice-Chairperson. Additionally, I convey my best wishes to Rajeev Gowda, Professor K.V. Raju, Professor Govardhan Das, Professor Abhay Karandikar, and M. Srinivas upon their appointment as full-time members of NITI Aayog.”
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi sent Ashok and Govardhan two additional updates in Bengali. He wrote: “I met with Ashok Kumar Lahiri and conveyed my best wishes to him on his appointment as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog,” referring to the departing BJP MLA. His extensive background in public policy and economics will bolster India’s reform path and progress toward becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India). I have no doubt that his initiatives will give our nation’s policymaking more vitality.
About Ashok Kumar Lahiri
Indian politician and economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri presently holds the positions of Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog and Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, where he represents the Balurghat seat.[1] He is presently a member of the 15th Finance Commission as well. In the past, Lahiri held positions as the 12th Chief Economic Advisor to the Indian government, a Reader at the Delhi School of Economics, Chairman of Bandhan Bank, Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank, and Director of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. He also held positions as a Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund and a Consultant at the World Bank.
Lahiri graduated from Presidency University in Kolkata’s Department of Economics.[2] Ashok Lahiri’s early schooling was at the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith in Narendrapur, a residential school known for emphasizing the holistic development of its pupils. He studied economics as an undergraduate at Presidency College (now Presidency University), which is connected to the University of Calcutta. The highly esteemed Department of Economics at Presidency College awarded him a bachelor’s degree. Lahiri completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Delhi’s Delhi School of Economics (DSE), where he earned his doctorate in economics in 1979. This doctoral degree—earned from one of India’s premier institutions for economic research—subsequently laid the foundation for his professional career in the fields of economic analysis and policy-making.
Prime Minister Modi extends greetings to Bengali scientist Gobardhan Das.
Additionally, Modi congratulated Gobardhan Das, a Bengali scientist, in Bengali. “Your journey through life serves as an inspiration to everyone with your tireless hard work and humble demeanor,” he added. The nation as a whole is proud of the priceless contributions you have made to research, innovation, and public health. I sincerely hope you have a successful tenure.
Notably, similar to economist Ashok, Govardhan Das, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) School of Molecular Medicine, ran as the BJP’s candidate from the Purbasthali North constituency in East Bardhaman in the 2021 Assembly elections. He did not win the election, nevertheless. On the other hand, Ashok—the outgoing MLA from Balurghat—did not receive a party ticket in the current election cycle. However, the Narendra Modi administration has now given both of them additional administrative duties.