Mamata Banerjee defends decision to name West Bengal as Paschimbanga

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday defended the decision to keep the name of the state as Paschimbanga despite criticism from some quarters.

She told the state Assembly an all-party meeting, called to suggest a new name for the state, did not change the name and retained Paschimbanga, adding whatever decision was taken should be accepted.

Banerjee said there were three suggestions - Bangabhumi, Bangla and Bangapradesh - and personally she was in favour of naming the state as Bangabhumi.

"But all political parties had a consensus on Paschimbanga at the all-party meet on August 19 and I could not impose my choice. Whatever decision was taken by all political parties should be accepted," she told the Assembly.

Insisting her government did not change the name and only retained the existing name Paschimbanga, she said now in every language, including English, it should be pronounced as Paschimbanga.

Referring to apprehension by many the new name could be mispronounced in English and other languages, she said they were only trying to create differences between languages and hence she does not want to be misunderstood.

She said the geographical and historic perspective were also considered besides the sentiments of common people from different districts who wanted that the state be called as Paschimbanga.

Banerjee said everyone was free to give his or her opinion, but that did not mean that the government has to accept it.

She said earlier the previous Left Front government had also proposed the name Paschimbanga in the House.