BJP MLA Demands Renaming Delhi as ‘Indraprastha’ in Delhi Legislative Assembly

Poonam Sharma, a BJP MLA, has demanded in the Delhi Legislative Assembly that the name of Delhi be changed to the ancient Mahabharata-era name Indraprastha so that the city can reconnect with its cultural roots. She also urged Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to forward the proposal to the central government, describing it as an important step toward cultural revival.

During the budget session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Friday, a BJP legislator raised a demand to rename Delhi as Indraprastha. Poonam Sharma, the BJP MLA from Wazirpur, made the proposal through a special mention in the House, stating that such a move would reconnect the city with its historical and cultural roots. She urged Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to pass a resolution in the Assembly to rename the capital as Indraprastha and send the proposal to the central government for approval.

Sharma emphasized that renaming the national capital would mark an important chapter in the country’s cultural revival. A similar demand had earlier been raised by Praveen Khandelwal, BJP MP from Chandni Chowk, who had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the issue.

Highlighting the historical significance, Sharma said Delhi’s glorious past dates back to the era of the Mahabharata, and there is strong cultural and historical evidence suggesting that the city was originally known as Indraprastha, with the name Delhi coming much later. She added that the name Indraprastha evokes memories of an era when India was known as the “Golden Bird,” and adopting it would give the nation a strong cultural identity.

She also stated that the government led by Rekha Gupta believes that while Delhi should continue to develop modern infrastructure, it should also remain deeply rooted in the heritage of Sanatan Dharma.

Meanwhile, a separate political controversy erupted after Parvesh Sahib Singh, Delhi’s Public Works Department (PWD) minister, released a video of the bungalow that once served as the official residence of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Sharing the video titled “Dhurandhar 3” on social media, he criticized Kejriwal and referred to the residence as an example of alleged extravagance. Following the video, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta claimed that the so-called “Sheesh Mahal” was not merely a building but a symbol of corruption, arrogance, and betrayal of public trust.