WB name change: No 'Bongo' please, it's a musical instrument, says Supriyo

Welcoming the West Bengal Cabinet's decision to change the name of the state, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Babul Supriyo on Tuesday said the name could be 'Bangla' or 'Bengal' but shouldn't be 'Bongo' as it is a musical instrument.

"It's very good. I support his decision. The name should not be 'Bongo'. that is a musical instrument. 'Bangla' in Bengali and 'Bengal' in English is much better. It is in East, but it is called 'West'in relation to Bangladesh," Supriyo told ANI.

"Bangla is good, but definitely not Bongo. Bongo is an instrument that is played (Bajano hoe)!Do not want people 2 crack dirty pun about it. Bengal in English is fantastic & makes a great pair with Bangla the State & it's language Bangla Bhasha - but not BONGO PLEASEEEEEE," he tweeted.

The West Bengal Cabinet earlier today decided to rename the state as 'Bangla' or 'Bongo' in Bengali and 'Bengal' in English.

The news was confirmed by Trinamool Congress leader and state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, who said a special assembly session will be convened on August 26 to discuss the name change.

"The Cabinet has taken a very important decision. We had suggested a change in name of the state. For the sake of the people, culture and tradition, we have decided to change the name in Bengali as 'Bangla' or 'Bongo'. We will put forward the suggestion in the Legislative Assembly. The state's name in English would be 'Bengal'. We will discuss this issue in the Assembly on August 26," Chatterjee said.

The ruling party in the state had in 2011 decided to rename West Bengal to 'Paschim Banga' to raise the state's position alphabetically.

Besides the TMC, the opposition parties led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had also supported the move then.