West Bengal likely to be renamed ‘Paschim Banga’

Kolkata: West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party president Samik Bhattacharya has hinted that the state's name may be officially changed to Paschim Banga, emphasizing the importance of preserving the region's historical identity. During a press conference, Bhattacharya stated unequivocally, "How many times must I say, brother? The name will be Paschim Banga."

He previously announced on Monday that the transition to Paschim Banga was imminent and emphasized that alternative names would no longer be used, such as Paschim Bangla or Bangla.

Bhattacharya announced that a legislative bill will soon be introduced to solidify the state's identity with its historical roots. He further explained that the new name, Paschim Banga, would be formally adopted in the very first session of the upcoming legislative session. In addition to the renaming, Bhattacharya discussed various political and policy matters, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address marking his 25 years in office.

He highlighted Modi's dedication to the nation, referencing figures like Swami Vivekananda and Rishi Aurobindo.

When questioned about opposition leader Rahul Gandhi potentially being intimidated by Modi's popularity, Bhattacharya dismissed the claim, challenging the opposition to prove their fear. He criticized the opposition's strategy of turning issues into non-issues and emphasized that the youth would continue to support the BJP for the next two decades.

Bhattacharya also backed the Assam government's decision to merge the State Madrasa Education Board with the School Service Commission, viewing it as a crucial step towards inclusive education under the New Education Policy. He argued that all children, regardless of their background, should have equal opportunities to study various subjects and become integral parts of national life.