Top News
Opposition raring for contest to post of RS Deputy Chairman
New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) The opposition is raring for a contest for the post of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman as it sees a realistic chance of beating the ruling BJP-led NDA when election is held after incumbent P.J. Kurien’s term ends in July.
The numbers in the upper house are delicately poised and parties seen to be equidistant from both Congress and BJP seemingly hold the key. These parties that include the BJD, Telangana Rasthra Samiti and YSR Congress together account for 23 members.
In a house with an effective strength of around 240 members, the BJP-led NDA is likely to have the support of about 115 MPs, including the Shiv Sena, while the opposition can claim the backing of more than 110 members.
The BJP has improved its numbers in the Rajya Sabha following the recent biennial elections on the back of its success in state assembly polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
But despite being the single largest party with 67 members, it may not be in a position to ensure outright victory of NDA candidate without some deft manoeuvring.
The Congress-led opposition is also hopeful that the regional parties will be guided by their assessment of prospects in 2019 Lok Sabha polls and may like to keep a distance from the BJP in the given political scenario where the opposition has several issues to target the Modi government.
Much will depend on the outcome of the Karnataka assembly polls next month as it will decide if BJP is able to retain political momentum.
While BJP lost TDP as an important ally last month, it has been having an uneasy relationship with Shiv Sena for the past few months. There has been speculation that the party could offer the post of Deputy Chairman to its ally from Maharashtra to smoothen the ties.
Several opposition parties had come together to put up a common candidate in the presidential and vice-presidential polls.
The opposition parties have already started informally discussing options to zero in on a candidate with widest acceptability for the election to the post of Deputy Chairman.
The post has traditionally been with the ruling party at the Centre.
–IANS
ps/vsc/him/vm
Top News
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.