Kolkata, Oct. 7 -- West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday indicated that the state's name will likely be changed to "Paschim Banga", asserting preservation of the land's historical identity.

Speaking to reporters, Bhattacharya firmly said, "How many times must I say, brother? The name will be 'Paschim Banga'."

Earlier on Monday, the state BJP chief had asserted that alternative nomenclature would be done away with, stating that the formal transition to 'Paschim Banga' was imminent.

"Yes, absolutely. Paschim Banga Bhavan... West Bengal's 'Paschim'... For a long time now, you will no longer have to hear names like 'Paschim Bangla', 'Bangla', or 'Banga'. 'Paschim Banga' (West Bengal) is coming,"...