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Congress celebrates fall of 3-day BJP government in Karnataka
Bengaluru, May 19 (IANS) Celebrations broke out at the Congress party office here as hundreds of its cadres greeted the fall of the 3-day BJP government on Saturday by bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets among themselves and even passersby.
“Our cadres celebrated the victory of democracy by breaking hundreds of coconuts at the party minutes after Yeddyurappa resigned and the three-day BJP government fell,” a beaming Congress spokesman Ravi Gowda told IANS here.
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to muster the numbers (112) required for a simple majority in the 224-member hung assembly, Yeddyurappa chose to step down than face the crucial floor test for trust vote, as directed by the Supreme Court on Friday.
Terming Yeddyurappa’s resignation as a victory of the Constitution and the rule of law, former Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said democracy had won in Karnataka.
“This is a victory of the public mandate, a victory for our institutions and ideals enshrined in the Constitution. My hearty congratulations to every member of the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) for sticking to the path of truth,” tweeted Siddaramaiah soon after Yeddyurappa resigned.
Lashing out at state Governor Vajubhai Vala for giving Yeddyurappa 15 days to prove that he had majority in a hung House, the Congress leader said the BJP was hell bent on forming the government by any means though it had only 104 legislators.
“The BJP’s attempt showed it had no respect for the Constitution or the people’s mandate. It had been functioning in a dictatorial manner, misusing powers to usurp the state. It has kept the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and the Income-Tax department under its clutches,” charged Siddaramaiah.
Likening Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP’s National President Amit Shah to Hitler and Goebbles of Nazis in Germany, Siddaramaih said without the blessings of the duo (Modi and Shah), the BJP’s state unit could not have indulged in horse-trading and blatant subversion of the Constitution.
“Karnataka has shown the BJP that democracy is not for sale in India,” tweeted Siddaramaiah.
Congratulating legislators of the Congress and JD-S for staying together and united in the hour of grave political crisis in the state, Congress General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad lauded them for resisting arm-twisting by the Centre and its agencies.
“They stood by the party principles and decisions taken by the party leadership. Some of our legislators were held captive and under the illegal custody of the BJP. But when they got the opportunity to reach the assembly, they stood by the party. None of the 117 legislators of the Congress, JD-S and Independents had defected,” claimed Azad.
Hailing also the judiciary for rising to the occasion and advancing the floor test in the assembly to two days from 15 days the Governor gave to Yeddyurappa to prove majority in a hung House, Azad said there was no reason why the BJP was given over two weeks.
“Giving 15 days was against the spirit of the Constitution, as it would have allowed horse-trading — winning over legislators of rival parties through bribes and other inducements. The Governor knew that the BJP had no numbers,” recalled Azad.
Azad also accused the BJP leaders of luring the Congress members with money and other offers, which they had refused outright.
“It’s a victory of democracy, Constitution and the people of Karnataka,” added Azad.
–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.