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.

A faction of the AIADMK led by senior leader C.V. Shanmugam on Tuesday announced support to the ruling coalition headed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, adding a fresh twist to the state’s post-election political developments.

The development comes amid an escalating internal power struggle within the AIADMK following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election results. Reports indicate that the Shanmugam-S.P. Velumani camp has been attempting to consolidate support from party MLAs while differences with the Edappadi K. Palaniswami faction continue to deepen.

According to reports, the Shanmugam faction decided to back the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government ahead of a crucial floor test in the Assembly. The move is being viewed as a significant political shift in Tamil Nadu, where parties have been exploring alliances and support arrangements after the fractured mandate delivered in the Assembly polls.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats, falling short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member House. Since the results, multiple political developments and alliance discussions have continued in the state.

The AIADMK has also been witnessing internal disagreements over the legislature party leadership. Reports said rival camps within the party submitted separate claims regarding leadership positions and legislative appointments.

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.