Top News
Don’t ridicule Rahul, Sena tells Modi
Mumbai, May 9 (IANS) The Shiv Sena on Wednesday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi “not to ridicule” Congress President Rahul Gandhi who announced his name for the country’s top post if his party is voted to power in 2019.
In a sharp reaction to Modi’s criticism of Gandhi and terming his statement “sheer arrogance”, the Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member and spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that in a democracy the Congress chief had every right to express his desire to become the PM.
“It is by that same right that Modi also became the PM, so he should not ridicule anyone else for this. Actually, in 2014, it was expected that (BJP leader) L.K. Advani would play the role of the PM,” Raut said.
He said the better option for Modi would be “to defeat Gandhi first if you want to stop him from becoming the PM” and there was no point getting irritated about his stand.
“The Congress still remains the biggest party in the country today. They were defeated by an extraordinary atmosphere prevalent in 2014. It is for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA, headed by Congress) partners to decide what will be Gandhi’s role,” Raut pointed out.
As far as the Sena was concerned, he said “we find even Sharad Pawar a worthy candidate and besides Modi, others like Arun Jaitley and Advani also have the potential” in the BJP.
On the BJP’s criticism of the Sena’s decision to field former BJP MP, the late Chintaman Vanga’s son Shriniwas Vanga as the candidate for the Palghar Lok Sabha bypolls, Raut said “the BJP is in a state of turmoil”.
“First they should sit and discuss with us. Nobody can pressurise us like this. It is Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray’s decision to contest the elections on our own strength,” Raut said.
Countering Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ contention that Palghar seat belonged to the BJP, Raut asked: “If that is so, then why did you have to hire a candidate from the Congress to contest it, especially when he had contested against the late Vanga?”
He called upon Fadnavis – who vowed that the BJP would win Palghar “come what may” – to withdraw the (BJP) candidate Rajendra Gavit from the Palghar by-elections, if he really hoped for the Shiv Sena’s cooperation.
Terming the BJP’s decision to field a candidate in Palghar as “unfortunate”, Raut issued a veiled threat saying the Shiv Sena was now considering contesting even the Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha by-election as the party wanted to display its strength and self-respect.
The Bhandara-Gondiya seat fell vacant in December 2017 after BJP MP Nana F. Patole quit the party and joined the Congress.
The relations between the BJP and Shiv Sena touched a new low after the latter ‘hijacked’ the Palghar seat, leaving the BJP fuming and labeling its ally’s decision as ‘backstabbing’.
–IANS
qn/mr
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.