Shashi Shekar Vempati, who was founder of a news and opinion website Niti Central, has been appointed the chief executive officer of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati.

“Vempati has been appointed as the CEO of Prasar Bharati on the recommendation of a three member committee headed by the Vice President (M Hamid Ansari) for a period of five years from the date of assumption of office,” Information and Broadcasting Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Vempati has been serving as a part-time member of the Prasar Bharati Board since February 2016. He will succeed Rajeev Singh, member (finance) of the board, who was serving as the interim CEO since S C Panda retired earlier this year.

Vempati had played a crucial role in the BJP’s campaign during 2014 Lok Sabha elections.