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Shah meets party leaders, no breakthrough on Goa leadership
Panaji, Sep 19 (IANS) The BJP’s quest to find a replacement for ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar met with a setback on Wednesday as a meeting of top state BJP officials with party President Amit Shah in Delhi failed to resolve the issue.
Party sources said the meeting, attended by state BJP President Vinay Tendulkar and Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik — both contenders for the Chief Ministerial slot — and South Goa MP Narendra Savoikar remained inconclusive.
“Our party President is seized of the matter, but no decision has been made on the leadership issue yet,” a BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity.
The sources said that a pointed demand made by regional ally Goa Forward to appoint a non-legislator as a Chief Minister was shot down by Parrikar, admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, who is being consulted.
Parrikar, suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and now Delhi since February, when his illness was diagnosed.
This has led to criticism from the opposition and civil society, which have demanded that he should resign to make way for a “fully fit” Chief Minister who can efficiently discharge official duties.
There are several options which the BJP leadership has been tinkering with over the last few days, ever since the high command took serious note of the criticism about Parrikar’s absence from office.
The options include Shripad Naik, a popular ‘bahujan samaj’ (non-Brahmin caste) leader whose presence could be a boon for the BJP, which has over the last few years been accused of alienating the lower castes.
While Naik is Parrikar’s peer in the Goa BJP, both leaders have shadow-boxed each other on several occasions and are known to head two power centres within the party.
The other options include Vinay Tendulkar, a Rajya Sabah MP who has in the past sacrificed ministerial berth as well as a party ticket on leadership’s instructions as also Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant.
Senior state party leaders as well as ex-MLAs, who met National General Secretary (Organisation) Ram Lal in Goa this week have rejected the proposal to invite a member of the alliance parties to head the coalition government.
Speaking to IANS, Goa Forward President Vijai Sardesai said that he was fine with the delay on part of the BJP to decide on the leadership issue.
“Let them take time. But the decision should be a permanent one that keeps the state’s political stability in mind,” the Town and Country Planning Minister said.
–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.