Top News
Hardik Patel to join Congress, contest LS polls
Ahmedabad, March 8 (IANS) Firebrand Patidar leader Hardik Patel is set to join the Congress and even contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, informed sources said on Thursday.
Sources in his Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) confirmed late Thursday that the decision was taken at a meeting held at Tarkhadi village in Rajkot district. According to PAAS leader Gita Patel, only Hardik Patel will join the Congress.
While Hardik Patel could not be reached for comment after several attempts, reliable Congress sources said he would contest from the Jamnagar constituency in Saurashtra region where the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Poonam Madam is the sitting MP.
Patel will join the Congress at the party’s massive rally in Ahmedabad slated for March 12 where General Secretary in charge of East UP, Priyanka Gandhi, will make her first speech after being brought full-time in politics. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress treasurer Ahmed Patel, among others, will also be present.
The rally will come after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making arm of the party, on the same day.
Explaining why the Congress would not be averse to Hardik Patel joining it, party spokesperson Manish Doshi said the 25-year-old had forced the Narendra Modi government to announce 10 per cent reservation for the economically-weaker sections and raised serious issues of education and unemployment.
Patel had launched his pitched agitation for reservation to Patels (Patidars) in government jobs and educational institutions in July 2015, that resulted in major revival of the Congress, first in the local self-government elections that year and subsequently in the 2017 assembly elections.
He had confirmed last month that he would contest the Lok Sabha elections now that he had turned 25 – the age of eligibility – but had not disclosed if he would join any political party.
–IANS
desai/vd
Top News
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.