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Kerala CPI (M) announces its 16 candidates
Thiruvananthapuram, March 9 (IANS) The CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Saturday announced its list of 16 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party’s ally, the CPI, had earlier announced its four candidates.
With this, the two communist parties are contesting all the 20 seats in Kerala, leaving nothing for the LDF’s eight other allies.
State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the media in the party headquarters here that the CPI-M has decided to field 14 on their symbol, while two of them would be fielded as LDF supported Independents.
“In 2004, the LDF won 18 seats from Kerala and the Left was the backbone of the first UPA government. Our confidence levels are pretty high this time,” said Balakrishnan.
However in the 2014 polls, the LDF won in eight seats with the CPI-M candidates winning in five, LDF independents winning in two and CPI winning in one.
This time P. Karunakaran who had completed a hat-trick of wins from Kasargode constituency has been dropped and in his place comes former party legislator K.P. Satish Chandran.
The other candidates include sitting members P.K. Sreemathi (Kannur), M.B. Rajesh (Palakkad), P.K. Biju (Alathur) and A. Sampath (Attingal).
Ace comedian Innocent’s name after initial confusions has been cleared and he told the media that last time when he was fielded from Chalakudy, he had no clue of how things would pan out.
“But after a five-year term, I know how and what can be done for my constituency and it will be done,” said Innocent.
Six sitting legislators are being fielded in the forthcoming polls. A. Pradeep Kumar (Kozhikode), A.M. Arif (Alappuzha)and Left Independent legislator Veena George (Pathanamthitta) are contesting on CPI (M) tickets; C. Divakaran ( Thiruvananthapuram) and Chittayem Gopakumar ( Mavelikera) are contesting on CPI tickets; and Left Independent legislator P.V.Anwar’s will contest from the Ponnani Lok Sabha seat.
Sitting Lok Sabha member Joyce George ( Idukki) like in 2014 will contest as a LDF independent.
“What’s the big deal if legislators are asked to contest. Last time too we fielded sitting legislators and this has been done in the past by the Congress also,” said Balakrishnan.
The biggest surprise in the list is party veteran P. Jayarajan, who is a former legislator and was jailed in two murder cases. He will contest from the Badagara seat in Kozhikode district.
“Jayarajan is the biggest victim of violence in politics as his right hand was slashed when he was in his house by the RSS, some time back. He is only facing the trial as the case against him is going on,” said Balakrishnan.
V.N.Vasavan, a former legislator, has been fielded from Kottayam, while two former Rajya Sabha members P.Rajiv(Ernakulam) and K.N. Balagopal(Kollam) are also in the fray.
V.P. Sanu, All India president of the Students Federation of India, has been fielded from Malappuram.
“I am really excited that I have been asked to contest and everyone knows that I am pitted in a constituency that’s the stronghold of the Indian Union Muslim League. But, of late, a change has started at Malappuram and I expect that I can change things through this elections,” said the young Sanu.
The two other CPI candidates includes Rajaji Mathew Thomas, who replaced sitting Lok Sabha member from Thrissur, C.N. Jayadevan and P.P. Suneer will contest from the Wayanad seat.
–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.