Senior BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya has asserted that the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme will be implemented in West Bengal once the BJP comes to power in the state.
Speaking at a public event in Kolkata, Bhattacharya criticised the current state government for not adopting the Centre’s flagship healthcare programme. He claimed that the move has deprived many eligible families of access to wider health coverage benefits available under the national scheme.
Ayushman Bharat, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), provides health insurance coverage for economically vulnerable families across India. While many states have adopted the scheme, West Bengal currently operates its own healthcare initiative.
Bhattacharya said that if the BJP forms the government, integrating Ayushman Bharat into the state’s healthcare framework would be a priority. He argued that aligning with the national scheme would strengthen access to quality treatment and reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses for citizens.
The statement adds to the ongoing political debate between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress over welfare delivery and healthcare policy in Bengal. With elections approaching in the coming months, health schemes are expected to remain a key campaign issue.
Political observers note that welfare initiatives often become focal points in state-level electoral battles, particularly when they involve Centre–state policy differences.
