In a recent move to conserve fuel, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a reduction in the number of vehicles in his official convoy. This decision comes in response to a call for austerity by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who urged Indian citizens to adopt measures to combat economic challenges posed by rising global crude oil prices.
Following a message from the Prime Minister on Sunday, Adhikari emphasized the importance of leading by example. “I watched Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to the people. He has always set examples and shown us the way,” Adhikari stated after being sworn in as the MLA from Kolkata’s Bhabanipur at the state legislative assembly. He instructed the Directorate of Security to ensure that his movements are supported by only the necessary number of vehicles, reducing any excess.
Adhikari further expressed his belief in the Prime Minister’s guidance, saying, “The Prime Minister has always shown us the right path. It is not mandatory for all people to follow, but those who believe that it should be done will follow his example.” The Prime Minister’s suggestions included practical steps such as carpooling, using public transportation, working from home, purchasing less gold, and limiting foreign travel.
State government officials indicated that this initiative will extend to all Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and ministers, who are now expected to minimize the number of vehicles they use. On the day of his announcement, Adhikari arrived at the assembly with a convoy consisting of five vehicles, a significant reduction from the usual eight to ten vehicles typically deployed for his city travels.