Top News
Kejriwal apology: Two top AAP leaders in Punjab resign (Second Lead)
Chandigarh, March 16 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Punjab unit chief Bhagwant Mann and co-President Aman Arora on Friday resigned from their posts, a day after party Convenor Arvind Kejriwal apologised to a former state Minister for accusing him of involvement in the drug trade.
Mann, who announced his resignation on Twitter, said his fight against the drug mafia would however continue.
“I’m resigning as President of AAP Punjab… but my fight against the drug mafia and all kinds of corruption in Punjab will continue as an Aam Aadmi (common man) of Punjab,” Mann tweeted.
Mann, who represents Sangrur constituency in the Lok Sabha, was appointed the state party chief in May 2017.
Hours later, another AAP leader Arora said he was also putting in his papers.
“Rspctd @msisodia ji, due to painful turn of events since yesterday (Thursday), please accept my resignation from the post of co-President. Regards,” his tweet read.
On Thursday, Kejriwal withdrew his drug trade allegations against Bikram Singh Majithia, who is a brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal, and an application regarding the same was filed in a trial court in Amritsar, where a defamation case filed by Majithia against the Delhi Chief Minister on May 20, 2016, is being heard.
“This proves that they were raking up the issue to tarnish my image and harm me and gain politically,” Majithia told reporters on Thursday.
“I will withdraw the case, which I had filed for what is right and for my own and my family’s honour.”
Majithia said another AAP leader Ashish Khetan too had submitted his offer of regret.
Reacting to Kejriwal’s apology, Leader of Opposition and AAP legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira said he was “stunned” by the development.
“We’re appalled (and) stunned by the apology of @ArvindKejriwal tendered today, we don’t hesitate to admit that we haven’t been consulted on this meek surrender by a leader of his stature,” he said on Twitter.
In another tweet, he said: “We promise to continue our tirade on the burning issue of drugs destroying the youth of Punjab.”
Journalist-turned-AAP legislator Kanwar Sandhu said Kejriwal’s apology in the defamation case is a “let-down to the people, especially the youth of Punjab”.
“We in Punjab have not been taken into the loop,” he said in a tweet a day earlier.
–IANS
vg/tsb/bg
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.