NITI Aayog Reshuffle Sparks Political Debate Ahead of West Bengal Polls

The recent restructuring of NITI Aayog has triggered political debate, with critics alleging that the BJP-led central government is leveraging key appointments for electoral advantage ahead of the next phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal. In a significant move, noted economist and BJP legislator Ashok Kumar Lahiri, whose legislative term is nearing completion, has been appointed as the next Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.

Strengthening the Bengal connection further, prominent immunologist and academic Govardhan Das has also been inducted as a member. Alongside them, the government has appointed five full-time members, including economist K V Raju, AIIMS Director M Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology Abhay Karandikar, and former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. Following his appointment, Lahiri met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

The Prime Minister later extended his congratulations via social media platform X. However, opposition voices argue that prioritizing individuals from West Bengal in the policy body is a strategic attempt to counter the All India Trinamool Congress and gain political traction in the poll-bound state.