Ambedkar's birth place devoid of fervour amid poll code

The 123rd birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar was observed today at his birth place in Mhow near here.
However, because of the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, no major function was organised which used to be a routine affair here every year on the occasion with large number of leaders making a beeline to pay respect to him at his grand memorial, sources said.
There were no elaborate cavalcades of political leaders, nor were there any huge stages erected for announcements centred around a section of the society.

Sources said because of the fear of being booked for violation of MCC, political leaders in Mhow also refrained from putting up their posters and banners carrying their photographs.
A few candidates from the Dhar Lok Sabha constituency and some other political leaders made a quiet visit to the Ambedkar memorial.
However, thousands of his followers from across the country arrived in the cantonment town to pay their respect on the occasion.
The Ambedkar memorial was dedicated to the nation on April 14, 2008 on the occasion of the leader's 117th birth anniversary.
The government had also rechristened Mhow as Dr Ambedkar Nagar in 2003 in his memory.