Lucknow, President Ramnath Kovind is expected to lay the foundation stone of Ambedkar Cultural Center here in the state capital.

The program is scheduled to be held on June 29 at 1100 hrs in Lok Bhavan.

Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be present on the occasion while Dalit leaders will also be invited, officials said.

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

BJP's move is reported to be a move to woo the Dalits before the 2022 assembly polls.

State cabinet has passed a proposal to set up an Ambedkar cultural centre in Lucknow, the officials said.

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

The centre would come up in the government land opposite Aishbagh Eidgah in the heart of the city. The total area is around 5493.52 sq meters.

The Ambedkar Cultural centre will have a 750 capacity auditorium, library, picture gallery, museum, multi purpose hall, dormitory, cafeteria, parking and other basic facilities.

The government is expected to spend Rs 45.04 cr in this project, added the officials.

(Agencies)