Bhopal may be renamed ‘Bhojpal’

If the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh has its way, then state capital Bhopal will soon be rechristened Bhojpal after 11th century king Raja Bhoj. The Paramar king who ruled in the Malwa region and fought the aggression of Mahmood of Ghazni in 1024 is BJP’s mascot in MP. Addressing a large gathering in Bhopal at a cultural function on the occasion of millennium celebrations of Raja Bhoj’s coronation, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that his government will soon send a proposal to the Centre to rename Bhopal. He also said Bhopal’s Upper Lake, Bada Talao, would now be called Bhoj Taal and the VIP Road that runs along the banks of the lake was renamed Raja Bhoj Marg. BJP national president Nitin Gadkari and senior leader Venkaiah Naidu were present at the celebrations held on Monday. The state police fired 21-gun salutes as BJP leaders unveiled a 12-feet statue of Raja Bhoj on the banks of the Upper Lake. In 2002, the BJP-led NDA named Bhopal’s airport after Raja Bhoj.