Congress workers, led by Mumbai Regional Congress Committee President Sanjay Nirupam, staged a symbolic protest in the city on Tuesday on the occasion of Dalit icon Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary.
Party workers lit candles and garlanded the Ambedkar statue on the land the state government has put aside for the leader's memorial.
The land was recently transferred by the Central government to the BJP-led Maharashtra government, but waits to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a nine-day tour to Europe and Canada. The state government plans to build a memorial and an international research Centre on this land in the memory of Dr Ambedkar.
The BJP, however, lashed out at the Congress for failing to transfer the same land, despite being in power for 15 years. Maharashtra was governed by the Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP for 15 years till the BJP formed government in the state last year.
However, with local body polls nearing in cities in Maharashtra, questions are being raised about parties attempting to woo the Dalit vote-bank.
"This has nothing to do with politics. It is our attachment and emotional bonding towards Babasaheb," Mr Nirupam told NDTV.
Gandhi, Ambedkar, Shivaji Statues Moved Within Parliament, Congress Objects Sharad Pawar Leader Tears BR Ambedkar's Poster, Later Apologises Expelled Congress Leader Sanjay Nirupam Joins Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "Had God On My Side": Donald Trump Recounts Being Shot At During Rally 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters "Every Time I Try To Eat Healthy" - Video Creator's Editing Skills Amaze Internet Watch: Comedian's Wholesome Interaction With Indian-Origin Woman Is Viral Donald Trump Accepts Republican Nomination Amid Chants Of USA From Crowd Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.