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Maharashtra Congress moots ‘grand alliance’ for 2019 polls
Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan on Saturday mooted a “Maha Aghadi” (grand alliance) of all like-minded parties to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 parliamentary and state assembly elections.
After a meeting of senior party leaders to review the political situation, and the feedback of district, division and state leaders, the party was now ready to go for a “grand alliance” in the state, he said.
“We want to ensure that by having such an alliance, the anti-BJP votes are not divided. We shall apprise Congress President Rahul Gandhi of this decision when we discuss the matter with him here next week,” Chavan said.
He pointed out that in the recent Palghar Lok Sabha bypolls, in the five-cornered contest, the BJP got the advantage and won the seat due to the division of secular votes.
Chavan said it would be now up to the other parties in the state, like the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Republican Party of India factions and the Communist Party of India (M), besides the Nationalist Congress Party to respond positively in the matter.
Though there was no immediate proposal of a seat-sharing formula, he indicated it could be worked out after the Congress top brass takes a final decision in the matter.
However, to a query whether the ruling ally Shiv Sena, which is bitterly critical of the BJP, and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena would be a part of the grand alliance, Chavan said owing to the ideological differences, an alliance with them was “out of question”.
Chavan also demanded that the Centre and state government make official statements regarding the alleged Maoist threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“These are a cause of serious concern. The government must clarify it immediately,” Chavan urged.
–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.