In a move to conserve fuel, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Wednesday that the number of vehicles in his official convoy would be reduced. This decision is in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address advocating for austerity measures amidst the global rise in crude oil prices due to the West Asia conflict.
“I watched Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to the people. He has always set examples and shown us the way,” Adhikari stated to the media after taking his oath at the state legislative assembly as the MLA from Kolkata’s Bhabanipur. He instructed the Directorate of Security to ensure that his convoy would not exceed the minimum required number of vehicles, emphasizing the need for “no excess vehicles.”
Adhikari’s remarks align with the Prime Minister’s call for citizens to adopt measures such as carpooling, using public transport, working from home, minimizing gold purchases, and limiting foreign travel to navigate economic uncertainties. “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,” Adhikari added, underscoring his commitment to these recommendations.
To set a precedent, Adhikari arrived at the assembly with a convoy of five vehicles, in contrast to the usual eight to ten cars typically accompanying the chief minister through the city. This change is part of a broader initiative among Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and ministers in the state government, who are also expected to reduce their vehicle usage.