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Mugabe ignores deadline to quit, ruling party calls meeting (Lead)
Harare, Nov 20 (IANS) Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party has summoned its MPs to plan a course of action after the deadline set for the country’s President Robert Mugabe to resign passed on Monday.
Mugabe was dismissed on Sunday as leader of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union — Patriotic Front party and given an ultimatum to resign by 12 p.m. next day or face impeachment proceedings in Parliament.
The embattled leader surprised Zimbabweans on Sunday, declaring on TV that he planned to remain as President. Zanu-PF said it backs impeachment and proceedings could begin as soon as Tuesday when Parliament meets, the BBC reported.
The war veterans claimed that Mugabe swapped speeches to avoid resigning during the address to the nation.
A draft impeachment motion published by Zanu-PF after the deadline passed said Mugabe was a “source of instability” who had shown disrespect for the rule of law and is to blame for an unprecedented economic tailspin.
The public poured on to the streets in protest in recent days calling for the end to Mugabe’s 37-year presidency. His grip on power has weakened considerably since the country’s Army intervened on Wednesday in a row over who should succeed him.
The crisis began two weeks ago when the 93-year-old leader sacked his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, angering Army commanders who saw it as an attempt to position his wife Grace as next President.
Zimbabwe has since then seen huge street rallies demanding his immediate resignation. The protests have been backed by the influential war veterans — who fought in the conflict that led to independence from Britain in 1980.
The group’s leader, Chris Mutsvangwa, on Monday called for more demonstrations against the President’s attempt to cling on to power.
“We want to see his back now,” Mutsvangwa said. “Mugabe, your rule is over. The emperor has no clothes. Thank you very much.”
The city was swirling with rumours that Mugabe was planning his resignation and that he may go back on television to announce it at any stage, and that Sunday’s speech was simply about giving carte blanche to the military for what they’ve done.
Mugabe said in his speech that he planned to preside over the Zanu-PF congress next month, a statement people found baffling after the party voted to strip him of his leadership and kick out his wife.
He made no mention of the pressure from his party and the public to quit. Instead, he declared that the military had done nothing wrong by seizing power and placing him under house arrest.
Before Mugabe’s speech, Mnangagwa was named as Zanu-PF’s new leader and candidate for the 2018 general elections. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was “baffled” by the President’s address.
–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.