Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Bengal BJP Chief Says State Name Bill Is Coming
Samik Bhattacharya, the BJP’s leader in West Bengal, says the state government plans to bring a Bill to change the state’s name.
He says the proposed name is Paschim Banga, also written as Paschimbanga.
He says the name would reflect the state’s history.
The reports say the Bill may come in an upcoming assembly session, but it has not yet been reported as introduced.
West Bengal has had other name-change proposals in the past.
Those proposals did not receive approval from the central government.
A separate plan would create a cultural centre and place to stay for visitors from Bengal in Varanasi.
The reports give different days for Bhattacharya’s announcement.
BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya says the government will introduce an assembly Bill to rename West Bengal Paschim Banga, also rendered Paschimbanga.
Bhattacharya says the proposed name reflects the state’s history; he has also invoked its distinct political history and historical figures.
The announcement was made at a press conference; reports differ on whether it was Monday or Tuesday and describe the next assembly session as a possible timeframe.
A planned Paschim Banga Bhavan in Varanasi is described as a cultural centre with a library, conference hall, parking and accommodation for visitors from Bengal.
Earlier proposals, including Paschim Banga and Bangla, were not approved by the Centre; the 2018 Bangla proposal drew objections over its similarity to Bangladesh.
- Who
- Samik Bhattacharya, BJP state chief and Rajya Sabha MP, announced the proposed Bill.
- What
- The state government is expected to introduce a Bill to rename West Bengal Paschim Banga, or Paschimbanga.
- When
- The reports place the announcement on Monday or Tuesday; Bhattacharya said the Bill could be introduced in an upcoming assembly session.
- Where
- The proposed Bill would be considered in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly; Bhattacharya spoke at press conferences, including one in Kolkata and one in Jalpaiguri.
- Why
- Bhattacharya said the name would connect the state with its history and help ensure that its history is not forgotten.
Case for renaming
Objections and obstacles
Purpose of a new name
Case for renaming
Bhattacharya says Paschim Banga would connect the state with its history; earlier proponents also argued for a name reflecting Bengali identity and moving away from colonial-era nomenclature.
Objections and obstacles
Past proposals did not secure the Centre's approval, and the reports do not establish that the new proposal will be approved.
Bangla proposal
Case for renaming
The 2018 state assembly resolution unanimously proposed Bangla as the state's single name.
Objections and obstacles
The Centre cited the need for a constitutional amendment, while some BJP leaders reportedly objected to Bangla's similarity to Bangladesh. Bhattacharya says the proposed name will instead be Paschim Banga.
Administrative rationale
Case for renaming
The Mamata Banerjee government argued that West Bengal's place late in the alphabetical list meant its representatives often had to wait to speak at national meetings.
Objections and obstacles
That proposal was not approved by the Centre.
- Proposed name
- Paschim Banga; another report spells it Paschimbanga.
- Announced by
- Samik Bhattacharya, BJP state chief and Rajya Sabha MP.
- Bill status
- Bhattacharya said the government would introduce a Bill; the reports do not say it has been tabled.
- Earlier proposals
- Name-change efforts date to 1999; proposals included Paschim Banga and Bangla.
- 2018 resolution
- The state assembly unanimously passed a resolution proposing Bangla as the single name.
- Centre's response
- The Centre did not approve earlier proposals; it cited the need for a constitutional amendment for the 2018 proposal.
- Varanasi project
- Paschim Banga Bhavan is planned as a cultural centre and accommodation facility, with a conference hall, library, Bengali literature and songs collection, and parking.
