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Ashutosh quits AAP, Kejriwal refuses to accept resignation (Lead)
New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS) Senior leader Ashutosh jolted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday by quitting it citing personal reasons, but AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to let him go.
Ashutosh, who joined the party in 2014 after being a journalist for 23 years, took to Twitter to announce he was quitting and thanking the party for its support.
“Every journey has an end. My association with AAP which was beautiful/revolutionary has also an end. I have resigned from the party (and) requested (it) to accept the same,” he tweeted.
“It is purely from a very very personal reason. Thanks to (the) party (and those) who supported me throughout. Thanks,” he added.
In another tweet, he asked the media to respect his privacy.
Retweeting Ashutosh’s tweet, Kejriwal said he cannot accept the resignation, at least in this lifetime. “How can we ever accept your resignation? No, not in this lifetime.”
In another tweet, he said: “Ashutosh sir, we all love you a lot.”
Ashutosh had expressed unhappiness over the choice of two of the three nominees to the Rajya Sabha. Once seen as close to Kejriwal, he had mostly kept away from party activities since then.
Ashutosh was the AAP candidate from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and finished runner-up to BJP’s Harsh Vardhan.
For 2019, Pankaj Gupta, a party spokesperson, has been chosen as the ‘prabhari’ of Chandni Chowk and most likely will be the candidate as well.
Sanjay Singh, MP and a member of the party’s Political Affairs Committee of which Ashutosh was a member, called the resignation “heartbreaking”.
“My association with Ashutosh as a friend and trustworthy partner will be lifelong. His separation from the party is a heartbreaking news for me,” he said, adding he will request him to take back the resignation.
Delhi cabinet Minister Gopal Rai called the decision “sad”.
Party’s chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said his resignation had not been accepted yet and he had been asked to reconsider his decision.
Support for Ashutosh poured in from other party leaders as well.
Delhi MLA from Dwarka Adarsh Shastri described him as a source of inspiration and urged him to reconsider his move.
Sushil Gupta, one of the Rajya Sabha MPs who Ashutosh did not approve of, tweeted: “I have high regards and respect for Ashutoshji, his contribution in the victory of Delhi election and strengthening of AAP nationwide are unmatchable. I appeal him to rethink his decision.”
Ashutosh is the latest in a series of senior leaders to quit the AAP, which has ruled Delhi since 2015. Those who exited earlier included Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Mayank Gandhi, Anjali Damania, Anand Kumar, Ajit Jha and Shazia Ilmi.
–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.