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Raje comes to Delhi but no audience with Modi, Shah
Jaipur/New Delhi: Amid vociferous demands for her resignation over her help to former IPL chief Lalit Modi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Saturday attended a NITI Aayog meeting in the capital but returned to Jaipur without getting an audience with either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP chief Amit Shah.
The Congress continued to mount pressure for Raje’s resignation and asked the prime minister to follow “raj dharma” and not “Raje dharma”.
Lalit Modi, who had on Friday tweeted the names of some Congress personalities he had “met”, on Saturday praised the prime minister.
“Our PM is most savvy man. He does not need my advise. When he bats he will hit the ball out of the park.#respect only,” said Lalit Modi, who is facing cases of alleged tax evasion.
Raje is facing demands for her resignation over her testifying in writing in favour of Lalit Modi for a British immigration application with the Congress also accusing her of having “financial dealings” with the former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief.
Raje reached Delhi around 9.30 a.m. and spent close to four hours in the national capital. She also spent some time at her house in Delhi before flying back to Jaipur, sources said.
BJP sources said Raje had sought an appointment with Shah on Saturday to present her views on the controversy dogging her but was advised against doing so.
The sources said it was conveyed to Raje by Shah’s office that her meeting party leaders and the prime minister at this juncture will lead to speculation that she was offering explanations and also to interpretation in the media that her fate still hangs in the balance.
However, political analysts and some news channels viewed her not meeting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s top leaders as a snub.
Raje’s office swiftly reacted to reports that she failed to meet the party’s top leaders, saying she went to Delhi only to attend a NITI Aayog meeting and that nothing else was scheduled in the national capital.
“These reports are completely untrue and baseless. These are far away from truth. Verify before running or publishing reports,” said the statement from the chief minister’s media advisor.
A BJP functionary said Raje’s meeting with the central leadership could take place over the next few days.
BJP sources said the prime minister and Shah met late on Friday in the wake of Raje facing mounting pressure to resign and decided to back her.
They also decided that she would attend the NITI Aayog meeting.
A BJP functionary said it was decided to get an Interpol red corner notice issued against Lalit Modi which will entail his being detained in any country.
Congress spokesman Ajoy Kumar attacked the prime minister on Saturday over Raje not resigning and advised him to follow the path of “raj dharma”.
“We want to advise the prime minister to follow the path of raj dharma and shed Raje-dharma and Modi-dharma,” Ajoy Kumar told reporters here.
“Modi ji’s response on corruption, black money is very disappointing. He made jumlas (sarcastic remarks) on these subjects during polls,” he added.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal also sought the resignation of Raje along with that of External Affaris Minister Sushma Swaraj and Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani.
While Sushma Swaraj has been in the eye of a storm for facilitating British travel documents on “humanitarian grounds” for Lalit Modi, Irani is facing accusations over her educational qualifications.
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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.