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Kerala polling on April 23; Left steals march over Congress, BJP on campaign trail
Thiruvananthapuram, March 10 (IANS) Kerala goes to the polls on April 23 – the third of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections – to elect its 20 MPs.
The third phase involves 115 constituencies spread across 14 states and union territories.
Of the three political fronts in Kerala, the ruling Left Democratic Front has already named its candidates – 14 from LDF-major Communist Party of India-Marxist, four from the Communist Party of India and two Independents. All have started their campaigns.
CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that while they have already hit the campaign trail, neither the Congress-led United Democratic Front nor the Bharatiya Janata Party have been able to even finalize their candidates.
“Our confidence levels are high as our candidates have already started meeting the people and the response has been quite good,” he said.
State BJP president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai told the media that it was a nice gesture on the part of Election Commission to have given adequate time for campaigning in Kerala.
“The BJP pledges its full support to ensure that the polls are conducted in the most peaceful and democratic manner. Our party is fully geared for the elections,” he said
However, there is yet no word on when would the list of the NDA candidates is expected.
Speaking to the media, Congress spokesperson Jyothi Chamakala said that the UDF has an upper hand as their party is not in power either at the Centre or the state.
“We are beginning our campaigning with no anti-incumbency factor and that’s a good way to hit the campaign trail. Our candidates are getting finalized and in a day or two, the list will be released,” he said.
State Congress president Mullapally Ramachandran on Sunday evening left for Delhi with a list of candidates that has been cleared by the state party unit and now be put before the national screening committee.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF won 12 seats, and the LDF the remaining eight, with the BJP managing to finish second at the Thiruvananthapuram constituency and a poor third in the rest of the seats.
–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.