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Ex-Congress minister joins BJP, gets Palghar Lok Sabha nomination
Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) “Come what may, we will win,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after former Congress minister Rajendra Gavit was announced as the BJP candidate for the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday.
A former minister and legislator from Palghar Assembly constituency, Gavit quit the Congress and formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday and was rewarded with the party nomination by state BJP President Raosaheb Patil-Danve and Fadnavis.
Virtually accusing ally Shiv Sena of back-stabbing, Fadnavis said the BJP was on the verge of finalizing the name of a family member of the sitting party MP, Chintamani Vanga, who died on January 30.
“However, the Vanga family had no faith in us. They have been misguided by some elements and we know who they are. We still appeal to the Shiv Sena to support the BJP candidate in Palghar just as we supported them always in the past,” Fadnavis said.
“Come what may, we shall win Palghar seat. This was the BJP seat. What the Shiv Sena has done is wrong. Winning it would be a fitting tribute to the late Chintaman Vanga,” Fadnavis told a media conference here.
Gavit’s entry to the BJP came hours after the Shiv Sena’s massive show of strength in Palghar in support of its candidate, Srinivas Vanga, the late MP’s son who filled his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election of May 28.
Accusing the BJP of ignoring them after the death of Chintaman Vanga, the entire Vanga family shocked the BJP by joining the Shiv Sena last week though Fadnavis and other top leaders made frantic attempts to wean them back to the party fold.
Patil-Danve claimed that all the voters of Palghar, party activists, legislators, civic leaders and others supporters were still with BJP, hinting that the Vanga family had left in virtual isolation.
Contrary to intense political speculation, the BJP decided to field Gavit – a rank newcomer to the party fold from the Congress – for the crucial Palghar reserved constituency, around 100 km north of Mumbai.
In a sharp reaction, Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said Gavit had already lost two elections in the past.
“The BJP is accusing the Shiv Sena of wrongdoing by fielding ex-MP Chintaman Vanga’s son. So, is the BJP doing right by taking away leaders from other parties and then giving them party ticket,” Chavan asked.
Meanwhile, a four-cornered, high-stake contest is likely to take place in Palghar with the Shiv Sena, BJP, Congress and a local force, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) announcing they will contest the elections.
–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.