Top News
EC to hear plea on cancellation of Congress poll symbol
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Less than a month before Karnataka goes to polls, the Election Commission (EC) will on April 18 hear a plea regarding the cancellation of the Congress party’s election symbol — palm, a BJP leader said on Thursday.
Ashwini Upadhyay, who had petitioned the EC in this regard, tweeted the information, saying “… the election symbol had been illegally allotted to the Indian National Congress”.
“As per law and the Model Code of Conduct, part of body can’t be an election symbol and also a person can’t enter in a polling booth with any election symbol,” said Upadhyay, also a Supreme Court lawyer.
Polling is scheduled for May 12 in Karnataka which is likely to see a tough contest between the Congress that is trying to retain power in the crucial state and its main political rival the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Upadhyay filed a petition before the poll body on January 29, alleging that the Congress’ symbol violated the Model Code of Conduct.
He contended that Section 130 of the Representation of People’s Act and the General Conduct 4 of the Model Code of Conduct restricted exhibition of election symbol on polling day and “particularly within 100 meters of polling station”.
“Since the election symbol of the Congress is ‘Hand’, its candidates, supporters and agents always carry it, even when campaigning is stopped,” Upadhyay said in the letter to the EC.
The symbol was allotted to Indira Gandhi-led Congress (I) in 1980 by the EC. The similar open palm symbol was earlier used by the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) in the 1952 elections.
As AIFB disbanded soon after the 1952 elections, the symbol remained unused for decades till it was offered to the Congress (I).
–IANS
mak/him/nir
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.