West Bengal government to propose renaming state to Paschim Banga

The BJP-led state government in West Bengal is preparing to introduce a bill in the Assembly to formally rename the state to ‘Paschim Banga’. State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya announced the plan, stating the proposed name aims to preserve the state’s historical identity and connection to the Partition. He clarified that the party does not support the name ‘Bangla’, a proposal previously pursued by the Trinamool Congress.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has expressed support for the move, noting that the change must follow legal procedures through an Assembly bill. The debate over renaming the state is a recurring political issue; similar proposals were introduced by the Jyoti Basu-led Left Front government in 1999 and by the Mamata Banerjee administration after 2011.

Additionally, plans were announced to develop ‘Paschim Banga Bhavan’ in Varanasi. This project, involving the state’s culture and tourism department, the central government, and descendants of the former Cooch Behar royal family, is intended to serve as a cultural center and accommodation for tourists and pilgrims traveling from Bengal to Varanasi.