BJP on renaming West Bengal: Will urge Center not to approve Mamata’s plan

“There is no need to change it. Just like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal can also be called Paschim Bengal in English. As it is, proper noun should not be changed. I will meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on August 24. Among other issues such as deterioration of law and order, terror activities and corruption, I will also request him to not to permit the name change,” Ghosh told mediapersons.

“If the CM is so worried that her turn comes at the end during meetings held at the central level, she can request the Prime Minister to sometimes begin the speeches according to reverse alphabetical order,” he added.

Ghosh was referring to reports that the government’s move comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s chance to speak at the Inter-State Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi earlier this month, came at the very end. At every state-level conclave, speakers from West Bengal were inevitably the last as alphabetical order is followed while inviting representatives to speak at such meetings.

Ghosh claimed Mamata has proposed the change to ensure that people forget the “emotional history and sentiments attached with the name ‘West Bengal’ as well as the sacrifice made by leaders belonging to the state”. “This attempt should be thwarted… We will visit different places across the state, especially the rural areas, gather lakhs of signatures against the proposed change and submit it to the President in the form of a deputation,” he said.

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Ghosh said from August 15, according to the instruction of the Prime Minister, BJP will hold a 15-day celebration to commemorate the 70th Independence Day under the theme ‘70 Saal Ki Azaadi, Yaad Karo Kurbani’.

“It is a part of the national programme. MLAs and MPs have been asked to take out motorcycle rallies in their areas, with the Tricolour, to infuse a feeling of patriotism among locals. Special programmes would also be held at the native places of freedom fighters from Bengal,” he said.

Women MLAs and MPs would also visit border areas and tie rakhis on the wrists of security personnel.