Lucknow, Jun 29 : President Ramnath Kovind today laid the foundation stone for Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural Center here in the state capital.

The foundation laying programme was held virtually from Lok Bhavan.

Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief minister Yogi Adityanath were present on the occasion along with senior Dalit leaders and senior officials.

This will be the second such centre in the state capital. Earlier, BSP president Mayawati had set up an Ambedkar memorial in 90s in the Gomti Nagar area.

BJP’s move is reported to be an effort to woo the dalits ahead of the 2022 assembly polls.

State cabinet had passed a proposal on Friday last to set up a Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial and cultural centre in Lucknow.

The cultural centre will have a 25 feet high statue of Ambedkar along with landscaping.

The ashes of Dr Ambedkar will also be kept in the centre.

The cultural centre, at a cost of Rs 45.05 crore, would come up in the government land opposite Aishbagh Eidgah in the heart of the city. The total area is around 1.34 acre.

It will have a auditorium with a capacity of 750 people, library, picture gallery, museum, multi purpose hall, dormitory, cafeteria, parking and other basic facilities.(UNI)