Calcutta, Sept. 2: Paschimbanga it will be, “like it or not”, once Parliament clears a resolution passed by the Bengal Assembly today.

The Opposition parties wanted a rethink, an ally walked out and chief minister Mamata Banerjee herself was not happy, but the new name was considered sacrosanct because of an all-party decision that does not have any constitutional standing.

The resolution said that since it was unanimously decided at an all-party meeting that the English name should be similar to the Bengali one, “this House has decided that steps be taken for the state to be called Paschimbanga in English”.

“Like it or not, we have to accept it. My choice was Bangla or Bangabhoomi but it wasn’t accepted. There can be many views but for a decision to be taken, either there has to be unanimity or majority. We reached a consensus on Paschimbanga,” Mamata said.

For those who find it difficult to pronounce Paschimbanga, Mamata is confident that they will pick it up with time. “Isn’t Uttarakhand difficult to write and pronounce? Paschimbanga is very simple. People will get used to it,” she said.

Mamata also cited names that were difficult to pronounce, like her party MLA Pundarikaksha Saha, better known by his nickname Nanda. “Parents give difficult names to the children but they get used to it.”

Tarun Naskar, the SUCI (Communist) MLA — the only voice against the name change process — walked out after being denied a chance to speak.

Mamata raised a question. “What is wrong with Paschimbanga? Mahabharat ashuddha howar moto kichhu noy (This decision will not violate the epics). Only the name West Bengal is being removed.”

“There are people who are out of Facebook, Twitter, email and SMS. Their voices also have to be heard. People came from Bankura, Midnapore, Burdwan and they said they wanted Paschimbanga. Who will listen to them, speak for them? Let Paschimbanga remain,” she said.

The resolution will now go to the Union home ministry and then to Parliament.