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Include MNS in any secular alliance: Ajit Pawar

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Mumbai, Feb 12 (IANS) Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday called for including the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in any opposition alliance of secular forces in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Emphasising that it was his “personal view”, he said that including the MNS was imperative to prevent a split in the opposition votes and to ensure the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena combine in the state.

Speaking to the media here, he pointed out that in the 2014 election, the MNS got over 100,000 votes although it contested a few Lok Sabha seats independently.

A former Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar is the nephew of NCP President Sharad Pawar, who enjoys a personal rapport with MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

Pawar Jr’s statement is significant since all opposition political parties have spurned overtures by the MNS to join their alliance, especially the Congress-NCP combine.

Their distrust stems from the 13-year-old party’s violent agitations launched in 2008 and 2010 against the North Indian communities, followed by Raj Thackeray’s visit to Gujarat in 2013 and then his support to the BJP and its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in 2014.

The Congress-NCP, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and others are apprehensive that an alliance with the MNS could seriously undermine their own support bases and benefit the BJP and Sena.

Countering this, Pawar said there were many such instances in the past when alliances changed along with political situations as there were no permanent friends or enemies in politics.

He cited the examples of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who were earlier with the BJP-led NDA, and many others who later parted company and were now the strongest critics of the ruling dispensation.

“Even Raj Thackeray is now speaking a different language and is highly critical of Prime Minister Modi,” Pawar said.

On his part, Raj Thackeray has made serious attempts to dilute his “anti-north Indian” image and on December 2 last year attended a massive gathering of the Uttar Bhartiya Mahapanchayat Sangh.

He also took the opportunity of his son’s wedding last month to invite the leaders of all major political parties including the Congress-NCP besides union ministers and Shiv Sena leaders.

Nevertheless, Pawar admitted that in alliances few would be willing to give up their seats to accommodate smaller parties but said things could still be worked out.

–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

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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.

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