Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the new BJP government in West Bengal to implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, saying the welfare of the people of the state remains the Centre’s top priority.

The development comes days after the BJP formed its first government in the state under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari following the 2026 Assembly elections. During the first cabinet meeting, the Bengal government approved the rollout of Ayushman Bharat along with several other central schemes.

In a post on X, Modi said he was happy that people in West Bengal would now benefit from Ayushman Bharat, which provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually to eligible families. He also said the “double-engine government” would ensure seamless implementation of major central welfare programmes in the state.

Ayushman Bharat, launched by the Centre in 2018, is one of India’s flagship public healthcare schemes aimed at providing cashless treatment to economically vulnerable families across the country.

After chairing his first cabinet meeting, Adhikari described the decisions taken by the new government as steps toward “Asol Poriborton” or real change in the state. The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, defeating the Trinamool Congress in the recent elections.

Assam Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the new BJP-led NDA government in the state is likely to have around 18 to 19 ministers in the council of ministers.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for May 12, Sarma said discussions regarding the final composition of the cabinet are still underway and no names have been finalised yet.

“There may be around 18-19 ministers, but whether we include new faces or retain experienced ones will depend on the guidance we receive,” Sarma said while responding to questions on cabinet formation.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Assam government will take place at the Veterinary College ground in Guwahati. Sarma is set to begin his second consecutive term as chief minister after the BJP-led NDA secured a sweeping victory in the Assam Assembly elections.

The NDA won 102 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly, paving the way for the alliance to form the government for a third straight term in the state.

Sarma also said the new government would continue focusing on Assam’s welfare and development over the next five years, adding that the alliance had received a strong public mandate in the elections.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann suffered a political setback after his cousin Gyan Singh Mann joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab on Sunday. The development comes at a time when political tensions between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party have intensified in the state.

Gyan Singh Mann joined the BJP in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and senior BJP leaders. BJP leaders described the move as a sign of growing support for the party in Punjab ahead of upcoming political contests in the state.

The BJP has recently sharpened its attacks on the AAP government over issues including law and order, corruption allegations and political defections. Political friction between the two parties has also increased after recent protests and clashes involving party workers in Punjab.

The latest switch comes amid broader political turbulence for the AAP in Punjab. In recent weeks, the party has faced internal strain following high-profile exits and accusations exchanged between leaders of both parties.

Neither Bhagwant Mann nor the AAP leadership immediately issued a detailed public response to Gyan Singh Mann joining the BJP at the time of reporting.