New Delhi, April 25 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met economist Ashok Lahiri, currently a BJP MLA from Bengal's Balurghat, a day after he was named NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman.

According to a notification issued by the Centre on Friday, Lahiri, a former chief economic adviser of India, was appointed vice-chairman of the government think tank alongside a new set of full-time members: Rajiv Gauba, KV Raju, Gobardhan Das, Dr. M Srinivas and Abhay Karandikar.

His appointment - along with Das - come at a time when the BJP is in a battle with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.

Lahiri, a member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission who has held roles with global financial institutions, is one of the BJP's more recogn...