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AGP not to end alliance with BJP, but will fight Citizenship Bill
Guwahati, Nov 26 (IANS) A day after the ruling BJP in Assam slammed its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) for opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, the AGP on Monday said it was not ending the alliance but will keep opposing the controversial bill.
BJP leader and Finance, Health and PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the AGP has no moral right to oppose the Citizenship Bill 2016.
He said the AGP had accepted the date of March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date through the Assam Accord instead of 1951, thereby taking the burden of more than one crore illegal foreigners from 1951 to March 24, 1971.
Sarma also accused a section of the AGP leaders to having entered with a tacit understanding with the Congress ahead of the Panchayat polls.
“We are not going to walk out of the alliance with the BJP. Rather, we are going to fight against the bill while remaining in power,” AGP leader Atul Bora said.
“We have made our stand clear. We are not going to accept the Constitutional Amendment Bill at any cost. We are a regional political party and our politics is restricted to the geographical area of Assam. We are going to follow the directions given by the people of Assam,” Bora told the media.
The AGP leadership met on Monday and decided to write to BJP President Amit Shah urging him to make clear the saffron party’s stand on the alliance.
Several organisations in Assam including the AGP have been opposing the Citizenship Bill on the ground that it will affect the indigenous people of the state.
The bill seeks to grant citizenship to the victims of religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Congress and other parties in Assam are daring the AGP to break the alliance with the BJP.
“If the AGP has a minimum sense of shame, they should walk out of the alliance immediately,” former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Monday.
AIUDF chief Badaruddin Ajmal also urged the AGP to quit the alliance.
“How long the AGP leaders can tolerate the insults? BJP leaders are publicly condemning the AGP. BJP leaders dare the AGP to walk off of the alliance if they have the courage. Is this an alliance?” asked Ajmal.
–IANS
ah/mr
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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.