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Dissolve Lok Sabha to hold simultaneous polls with states, Congress tells Modi
New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday said the Lok Sabha should be dissolved and Assembly elections advanced in some other states if simultaneous polls are to be held.
“Simultaneous elections are not possible without amendment in the Constitution. There is only one way to have the elections together and that is Modiji should dissolve Lok Sabha to advance general elections. We would welcome it,” senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said.
His comments come against the backdrop of reports that the government was considering holding Lok Sabha polls early next year along with Assembly elections in 11 states by advancing polls in some states and deferring in some.
“If they bring it in advance by dissolving the Lok Sabha, we are prepared to fight both Lok Sabha and assembly elections at a time,” Gehlot said.
He said that the government was not “serious and honest about doing it” and only wanted to score political mileage out of it.
“They are just projecting that they are so concerned about the nation and that the expenses incurred on elections are so high. They only play politics out of it,” he said.
Vivek Tankha, a Rajya Sabha member who was part of the delegation heded by Ghelot to the Election Commission to complain about anomalies in the electoral rolls in Rajasthan, said for extending the term of state assemblies, Constitutional amendments would be required.
He also said if the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to postpone elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, it would move the court.
A Supreme Court lawyer, Tankha said that his party suspected that the government was trying to defer elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where the surveys are projecting the ruling BJP to be losing.
“It is not about the Congress. Three states where BJP is in power are going to polls. May be the surveys that are coming suggest that BJP is not winning there. So it is in their interest to postpone elections in these states,” Tankha said.
“In the three states, the schedule for election has to come before the term comes to an end. We are confident that we are going to win these three states. So, if there is any attempt to postpone elections in these states, of course we will go to court,” he added.
Tankha said that in the Indian parliamentary democracy, although the tenures of legislatures are specified, governments can fall at any point of time.
“So, there will never be one date for all governments to have a common election,” he said.
–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.