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Kejriwal should approach PM for full statehood: Sheila Dikshit (Lead)
New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) Holding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responsible for the “stalemate” in the national capital, his Congress predecessor Sheila Dikshit on Friday advised him to approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demand full statehood instead of protesting.
“The demand for full statehood can only be made in Parliament as it is the sole authority to change the Constitution,” the three-time Delhi Chief Minister told reporters here.
“As Delhi is a union territory, the Lt. Governor and the Chief Minister have no power to change the Constitution. And if Kejriwal wants to make a demand for full statehood, then he should approach Parliament and the Prime Minister,” she said.
She said that her party had also demanded full statehood for Delhi.
“But then we realised that Delhi, being the national capital of the country, the city government cannot get control over the Delhi Police and the land.”
Dikshit also accused Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of protesting to hide their failures on real issues.
“They have failed on every front and to hide their failures they are protesting at the LG’s house,” she alleged.
“I have not seen any of the elected government sitting on a protest like this. I don’t know what they are trying to hide and what is their aim behind such protest. They should first tell us what is their aim.”
“Till date, we have not been able to understand, for what he is fighting for and what is the motive behind such fights?
“Does he (Kejriwal) want to change the Constitution?” she asked.
Asked about Kejriwal’s challenge to Dikshit to work under Modi government and get things done, the Congress leader said: “Well, he will not get this chance ever. I don’t know on what grounds he (Kejriwal) said this.”
“Even we worked under the BJP government for over six years in Delhi, but there was never such a condition. Meanwhile, between 1998-2004, we converted about one lakh vehicles into CNG, we privatised power, we brought water reforms in the city.”
Advising Kejriwal to sort out his differences with the Lt. Governor, she said that the relationship between the two and the Chief Secretary is of coordination. “There should not be any conflict in this. If that is absent, then they can get the Chief Secretary changed by informing the Central government, but protesting this way is not right on part of the Chief Minister.”
Terming these kind of protests “shameful”, Dikshit said: “There is a way in getting things done. One can get things done by approaching in a proper way and talking sweetly.”
The sit-in protest at Lt. Governor Anil Baijal’s office-cum-residence by Kejriwal, and his cabinet colleagues — Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai — entered the fifth day on Friday.
The hunger strike by Jain entered Day 3 and that by Sisodia entered Day 2.
BJP leaders also held a demonstration at the Delhi Secretariat against Kejriwal’s sit-in protest.
–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.