PM Modi Expands Ayushman Bharat For Seniors Over 70, Ignites Political Tensions!

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been expanded to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, a significant decision announced by PM Narendra Modi during an event on Tuesday. This announcement has ignited a political showdown, particularly targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal for their refusal to participate in the scheme. Modi criticized these state governments, stating that the people of Delhi and Bengal would miss out on essential healthcare benefits due to their opposition to the initiative, especially when other opposition-led states are reaping the rewards of the program. In response, AAP leaders accused the central government of widespread fraud associated with the scheme, while the Trinamool Congress argued that Ayushman Bharat is merely a replication of West Bengal's existing health initiative. Government data highlights that over 40% of hospitalizations under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana occurred in opposition-ruled states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. This ongoing dispute underscores the contentious nature of healthcare politics in India, as both the central and state governments continue to clash over the scheme's efficacy and implementation.