National
Amid release of Jaya video, R.K. Nagar set for election (Second Lead)
Chennai, Dec 20 (IANS) The stage is set for the crucial by-election in the Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituency here on Thursday in which around 2.06 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 59 candidates.
Queering the pitch on Wednesday was the sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dinakaran’s camp member P. Vetrivel by releasing a video clip of the late J. Jayalalithaa purportedly on her hospital bed, forcing the Election Commission to tell television channels not to telecast it.
The run-up to the by-poll also saw several other twists and turns, including the rejection of actor Vishal Krishna’s nomination papers and the change of controversial Returning Officer K. Velusamy.
The parties also traded charges of large-scale bribing of voters while flying squads seized around Rs 30 lakh from several people during the campaign.
The major contenders are AIADMK’s E. Madhusudhanan, DMK’s N. Marudhu Ganesh, Dinakaran — contesting as an Independent — and Bharatiya Janata Party’s K. Nagarajan.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the poll.
The by-poll was necessitated following the death of AIADMK leader and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016, who represented the Radhakrishnan Nagar seat. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 24.
On Wednesday, the ruling AIADMK cried foul and asked the poll panel to stop the telecast of the clip that showed Jayalalithaa drinking something from a plastic container, apparently while watching television.
The ruling party contended that the video was released with a “motive” before the high-stakes by-election and said a case should be filed against those responsible.
There was no indication as to when and where the video was shot.
Vetrivel, a disqualified MLA, denied it had anything to do with the by-election. “The video was shot by Sasikala after Jayalalithaa was shifted to a general room from ICU,” he said here.
K.C. Palaniswamy, a former MP of AIADMK, said: “It is for Apollo Hospital authorities to clarify whether such a room actually exists in their hospital here and whether the video clip could be genuine.
“The genuineness of the video has to be established. Our point is — what happened to Jayalalithaa at her residence before she was rushed to Apollo Hospital on September 22, 2016,” Palaniswamy said.
Officials of Apollo Hospital were not available to comment on the video clip.
Even Krishnapriya, a relative of Sasikala/Dinakaran, said Vetrivel had betrayed the trust and released the video without anybody’s consent.
Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar alleged that leaking the video clip was a misuse of the proximity enjoyed by the Sasikala family with the late leader, particularly during her last days at the Apollo Hospital.
“It is also in violation of the election rules,” he alleged.
Jayakumar said the video clip, if at all, should have been presented before the judicial commission set up to inquire into the death of Jayalalithaa. “Instead, it was done with the by-election in mind.”
Reacting to the charges, Dinakaran faction spokesperson Thangathamizhchelvan said there was no motive behind the release of the video clip which was shown to dispel allegations that the Sasikala family had a hand in her death.
He also rejected the demand for action on the issue, saying the Commission was not taking any action on the distribution of money to the tune of Rs 6,000 per voter in R.K. Nagar by the ruling AIADMK.
Meanwhile, Returning Officer Praveen Nair told television channels to stop showing the video clip, saying it violated Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act.
The provision bars display of any material by cinematographic or electronic means in areas going to polls on election eve and is a punishable offence.
Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22, 2016, and died there on December 5.
Earlier, Dinakaran had said he would release a video clip of Jayalalithaa in the hospital at an appropriate time.
Although the poll was first scheduled to be held in April this year, it was cancelled due to complaints of large-scale voter bribing by a candidate.
The poll is considered an acid test for the ruling AIADMK, as it underwent a split and then a patch-up, with Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam going out of the party and then rejoining it.
In the meantime, Dinakaran, who was the party’s Deputy General Secretary, and his jailed aunt Sasikala were sidelined.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.