Cooch Behar, West Bengal — Veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty addressed a large public meeting on Friday as West Bengal prepares for assembly elections expected in March–April 2026. While offering measured praise for the state government’s Lakshmir Bhandar cash assistance, Chakraborty made a high‑profile pledge to roll out the central government’s Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in the state if the BJP comes to power.
Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal
Chakraborty told supporters that the Trinamool Congress’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme was “not bad” and that beneficiaries should continue to take advantage of the programme. He argued, however, that Ayushman Bharat, which provides medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family, offered further protection that many across India already receive.
“People across the country are benefiting from Ayushman Bharat,” he said, adding that the West Bengal government had so far not permitted the scheme because of political considerations. He promised that a BJP government would implement Ayushman Bharat in the state.
The rally included sharp criticism of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Chakraborty accused the TMC of widespread corruption and a lack of industrial development, citing job shortages and a perceived decline in public services. He also raised concerns about law and order and communal tensions, invoking cultural references and recent local incidents to underline his point.
Chakraborty referenced an episode in which a young girl was reportedly threatened for singing a devotional song, asking rhetorically whether devotion to Durga was a communal act. He also compared elements of the state’s situation to recent events elsewhere, asserting there was an effort to change West Bengal’s social fabric.
On the subject of protest and policing, he mentioned the Dipu Das incident and alleged heavy police action against demonstrators, saying arrests had been made and dissent was being suppressed. Chakraborty urged voters to “wake up and unite” ahead of the polls and appealed across party lines to those who identify with Hindu traditions.
The speech combined welfare messaging, with endorsement of an existing state scheme, and the political promise of delivering central benefits to West Bengal residents. Health insurance and welfare schemes have become prominent battleground issues in the state as parties seek to demonstrate who can best protect household incomes and access to healthcare.
Political analysts say the BJP’s emphasis on implementing Ayushman Bharat in the state aims to highlight the differences between central and state policy choices, framing the issue as a matter of both health security and political accountability. The TMC has defended its own welfare initiatives, arguing they are tailored to local needs.
Chakraborty’s appeal blended policy with rhetoric designed to mobilise voters concerned about security, cultural identity and alleged corruption. As campaigning intensifies in the coming months, promises on healthcare delivery and welfare benefits are likely to feature prominently in voter debates across West Bengal.
Key Takeaways:
- Mithun Chakraborty told a rally in Cooch Behar that Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries should continue to receive support while urging consideration of Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal.
- The actor-turned-BJP leader promised to implement Ayushman Bharat in the state if the BJP forms government, noting national coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh.
- Chakraborty criticised the Trinamool Congress for alleged corruption, poor development and threats to law and order, citing recent protests and communal concerns.
- He appealed for unity among voters and warned of a strong response if attacks on BJP workers continue.
