Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Saumitra Khan on Monday, 11 May praised the decisions taken in the first Cabinet meeting led by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, saying the new government had taken strong steps for public welfare and national security. Khan also backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal urging citizens to curtail non-essential spending and fuel consumption amid global economic uncertainties.

Key Decisions from the First Cabinet Meeting

Speaking to reporters, Khan said the state government had prioritised border security and welfare schemes in its very first Cabinet sitting. He described the moves in effusive terms, saying Adhikari had "hit a six for the country's security and border security by providing land for it."

Among the decisions highlighted were the implementation of Ayushman Bharat — the Centre's flagship health insurance scheme — and the launch of the Vishwakarma Yojana, a scheme aimed at supporting small artisans and workers. Khan called these steps a "major step" that would benefit the poor, workers, and small artisans across West Bengal.

Khan Backs Modi's Austerity Appeal

The BJP MP also voiced support for Prime Minister Modi's recent call for citizens to reduce luxury expenditure and fuel use. Khan said people should consider limiting non-essential spending for a year in the national interest.

"What is being said is correct. Even my request to everyone is that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is saying something, he is saying it thoughtfully. If you do not buy gold for one year, it will not cause you any loss. If you don't go abroad for travel for one year, it won't cause any problem. We need to use as little fuel as possible," Khan said.

BJP Hits Back at Opposition Criticism

Opposition leaders had questioned the Prime Minister's austerity appeal, pointing out that Modi himself undertakes frequent foreign visits. Khan dismissed the criticism, arguing that the Prime Minister's international engagement serves the country's strategic and economic interests.

"When the Prime Minister goes abroad, he finds some solutions because the more engagement there is with foreign countries, the better it is. The opposition has no agenda, so they are trying to make this a new issue," Khan said.

Notably, this is not the first time BJP leaders have had to defend the PM's foreign travel record against charges of inconsistency. Critics argue the optics of asking citizens to forgo overseas trips while the government engages in high-frequency diplomatic travel remain a recurring political vulnerability for the ruling party.

What to Watch Next

With the Adhikari government in West Bengal now rolling out central schemes that were long blocked under the previous administration, the pace of implementation — particularly of Ayushman Bharat — will be closely watched by both beneficiaries and political observers. The BJP is expected to leverage these rollouts ahead of local body elections in the state.