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Choice of caretaker Italian Premier postponed amid new coalition talks
Rome, May 9 (IANS/AKI) Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday delayed picking a ‘neutral’ head of a caretaker cabinet after the leaders of the populist Five-Star Movement and the far-right League said they needed 24 hours to try and negotiate an accord on a new government.
“The Five-Star Movement and the League have informed the Presidency of the Republic that talks are taking place with a view to a possible government accord and that in order to do so they require a further 24 hours,” said a statement from Mattarella’s office.
Five-Star and the League have the numbers to govern in coalition but have so far failed to agree on a tie-up since the inconclusive March 4 national polls. Five-Star leader Luigi Di Maio has refused to back down on his demand that League leader Matteo Salvini break with his conservative ally Silvio Berluconi, who heads the centre-right Forza Italia party.
Five-Star, which vows to clean up Italian politics and rid the country of corruption, refuses to govern with Berlusconi, who has a tax fraud conviction, trial for bribery, and has been embroiled in numerous scandals.
Faced with this veto, Salvini is trying to convince Forza Italia party to give external support to a Five-Star-League government, and to persuade Di Maio to accept this compromise.
In an interview with Radio Capital, Salvini said he would “try until the end” to overcome the obstacle represented by Berlusconi, a key member of the League-led conservative alliance.
Another issue on the negotiating table is the job of Prime Minister – Di Maio heads Italy’s largest party while Salvini is the head of the largest political bloc in the hung parliament and both covet the role.
Sources told AKI on Wednesday there was a “75 per cent” chance of a breakthrough in the last-ditch talks between Salvini and Di Maio.
Mattarella on Monday said lawmakers should accept a ‘neutral’ caretaker government to oversee fresh elections sometime this year after several rounds of talks with political leaders on new government collapsed.
–IANS/AKI
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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.