<p>However, Madhya Pradesh Minister for Urban Administration and Development, Babulal Gaur told PTI today, "the decision to rename Bhopal as Bhojpal was taken by the state government and now it will send the proposal to Centre for approval along with the opinion of the local body."<br /><br />"The opinion of the local body matters, but since the state government took a decision on the issue, the proposal will be sent to the Centre for its approval as it is only empowered to change the name of any city or place," Gaur said.<br /><br />While turning down the proposal yesterday, Congress members highlighted that as per the merger agreement of Bhopal with the Indian Government and the constitutional provisions, the name of the city cannot be changed.<br /><br />BJP countered the argument by highlighting that there is a mention the Gazette that Raja Bhoj constructed Bhojtal famously known as Upper Lake (Bada Talab).<br /><br />Secondly, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had cancelled the provisions of compulsions outlined in this agreement, BJP said adding the Opposition is misleading the people by taking the name of merger agreement.<br /><br />The Congress said that in the municipal corporation limits, no sign of Raja Bhoj's rule in the city existed, though the famous Bhojpur temple does exists in Bhojpur village</p>
<p>However, Madhya Pradesh Minister for Urban Administration and Development, Babulal Gaur told PTI today, "the decision to rename Bhopal as Bhojpal was taken by the state government and now it will send the proposal to Centre for approval along with the opinion of the local body."<br /><br />"The opinion of the local body matters, but since the state government took a decision on the issue, the proposal will be sent to the Centre for its approval as it is only empowered to change the name of any city or place," Gaur said.<br /><br />While turning down the proposal yesterday, Congress members highlighted that as per the merger agreement of Bhopal with the Indian Government and the constitutional provisions, the name of the city cannot be changed.<br /><br />BJP countered the argument by highlighting that there is a mention the Gazette that Raja Bhoj constructed Bhojtal famously known as Upper Lake (Bada Talab).<br /><br />Secondly, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had cancelled the provisions of compulsions outlined in this agreement, BJP said adding the Opposition is misleading the people by taking the name of merger agreement.<br /><br />The Congress said that in the municipal corporation limits, no sign of Raja Bhoj's rule in the city existed, though the famous Bhojpur temple does exists in Bhojpur village</p>