Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the federal government Tuesday, accusing it of "anti-Bengali" bias after the Union Cabinet approved the renaming of Kerala as Keralam while leaving Bengal’s own name-change proposal in limbo.

Banerjee, while congratulating the people of Kerala, alleged that the swift approval for the southern state was the result of a "written" political alliance between the BJP and the CPI(M). She argued that West Bengal continues to face "vindictive discrimination" despite passing multiple resolutions to rename the state as Bangla.

Alphabetical Disadvantage

The Chief Minister highlighted a recurring frustration with the current name: its alphabetical position. Because "West Bengal" begins with a 'W,' the state is often relegated to the end of official proceedings and competitive examinations.

"When our students go for exams or interviews, they are called at the end since the name of the state begins with ‘W’, which comes at the end alphabetically," Banerjee said. "I too face the same problem. I get the chance to speak at the end as I am the Chief Minister of West Bengal."

The Fight for 'Bangla'

Banerjee noted that her government has sought to rename the state to better reflect its "culture, civilisation, and intellect." The state assembly has passed unanimous resolutions twice, even amending the proposal to ensure the name "Bangla" would be used uniformly across Hindi, Bengali, and English to satisfy federal technical requirements.

"Whenever I have met PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, I have raised this issue. However, much to my surprise, nothing has happened," she said. She accused the BJP-led centre of using the term "Bangla" only during election cycles for "electoral benefit" while disrespecting the state's icons. "I think they are not approving it because they are anti-Bengali," she added.

Allegations of Political Collusion

Turning her attention to the regional dynamics in Kerala, Banerjee suggested that the renaming of the Left-ruled state was a reward for a growing partnership between the BJP and the CPI(M)—an alliance she claimed is no longer "unwritten."

"Kerala has been renamed since there is an alliance growing between the BJP and the CPIM," she asserted, questioning why Bengal is persistently deprived. Despite the current impasse, Banerjee remained defiant about the future of her proposal. "One day, you [BJP] will not be in power. We will get the name changed," she concluded.

The Union Cabinet's decision to approve "Keralam" came just months ahead of the Kerala assembly elections, a timing Banerjee characterised as politically motivated.