The West Bengal assembly Thursday passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority to observe ‘Poila Baisakh’ or Bengali New Year as the State Day, amidst a rival demand by the BJP to commemorate June 20, 1947 when the state’s legislature had agreed to partition Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who spoke at length to explain the motion said the decision to observe the Bengali New Year, a day when most people in Bengal gift each other new clothes and businesses start a new ledger, said the day would be celebrated irrespective of any approval from the governor wit h whom she has crossed swords over appointment of university officials.
