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Shiv Sena non-committal on TDP’s no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha
Mumbai, March 16 (IANS) Maintaining suspense, the Shiv Sena – a NDA constituent and oldest ally of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – remained non-committal on the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) proposed no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha.
While Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray has chosen to keep mum on the political developments in the national capital, party circles indicated he may soon convene a meeting of top party leaders, its MPs, MLAs and MLCs before finalizing its stand. The party has 18 Lok Sabha MPs.
“No decision on the issue has been taken by the Shiv Sena. Whatever decision has to be taken, will be done by Uddhav (ji),” said senior party leader and Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete who was in Mumbai on Friday.
In fact, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP President Chandrababu Naidu had on February 3 called up Thackeray and expressed his grouse with the BJP over many issues, including the Union Budget, the “step-motherly treatment” meted out to Andhra Pradesh, and the party’s mood to quit NDA and go alone.
Like the TDP, the Sena has nursed an old grudge since 2014 for not being allotted additional ministerial berths in the Union Cabinet and for being allocated unimportant portfolios in Maharashtra cabinet where it is a coalition partner, besides its unhappiness over its bete noire, Maharashtra Swabhimana Party chief Narayan Rane joining the NDA and being given a BJP ticket for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.
Earlier, Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had met Thackeray in Mumbai on November 2, and the duo are known to have built up a rapport then.
In a sharp critique after the outcome of the recent bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Shiv Sena on Friday predicted that BJP’s tally would fall by 100-110 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from its current strength of around 272.
Prior to this, on January 23 on the 5th death anniversary of the Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray had announced that hisparty would independently contest the 2019 parliament and Maharashtra assembly elections, besides spreading wings to fight elections in other states around the country.
Attempting to mollify its partner, BJP’s Finance Minister Suhir Mungantiwar this week claimed that the BJP and Sena would jointly contest the next elections “in the interest of the people of the state”.
However, he was snubbed by his cabinet colleague and Sena’s Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam who said that while Thackeray has already declared the party would go solo in next elections, any decision in this regard would be taken only by him (Thackeray) and not the BJP.
–IANS
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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.