Kolkata: The debate over changing the name of West Bengal has once again come into focus after West Bengal BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya announced that the state government is preparing to bring a Bill proposing the name ‘Paschim Banga’.
Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on October 5, Bhattacharya said the proposed legislation could be introduced in the upcoming Assembly session. According to him, the objective behind choosing ‘Paschim Banga’ is to maintain a direct connection with the state’s historical identity.
Bhattacharya made it clear that the proposed name would not be ‘Bangla’ or ‘West Bengal’. He argued that the history surrounding the Partition of Bengal is closely linked to the creation and identity of West Bengal, and that ‘Paschim Banga’ better represents that history.
The BJP leader had earlier raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. At that time, he had argued against replacing the name West Bengal with simply ‘Bengal’ and supported ‘Paschim Banga’ as the preferred alternative.
The latest announcement also comes in the backdrop of a proposed Paschim Banga Bhavan in Varanasi. Bhattacharya said the proposed facility would function as a cultural centre and also provide accommodation for tourists and pilgrims from Bengal. Plans reportedly include facilities such as a conference hall, library and a collection of Bengali literature and songs.
The proposal to rename West Bengal is not new. The issue dates back to 1999, when the Jyoti Basu-led Left Front government had proposed ‘Paschim Banga’. The matter resurfaced after the Trinamool Congress came to power, with another proposal being discussed in 2011. In 2018, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed a resolution supporting the name ‘Bangla’, but the proposal did not receive final approval from the Centre.
Importantly, the state has not yet officially changed its name. A Bill or proposal in the Assembly would only be one stage of the process. A formal change would require the constitutional procedure involving the state legislature, Parliament and the President.
For now, Bhattacharya's announcement has brought the long-running name-change debate back into the political spotlight, with attention now likely to focus on when the proposed Bill is formally introduced and how it progresses through the legislative process.
