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Congress no longer single largest party in Goa (round-up)
Panaji, Oct 16 (IANS) In a swift masterstroke that brought the legislative strength of BJP and Congress at 14 MLAs each, two Congress legislators on Tuesday resigned and joined the BJP amid charges that the two were threatened to switch sides.
The resignations dull the Congress’ strategic advantage as the single largest party in the now 38-member Goa Assembly, bringing its strength at par with the BJP’s 14.
Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, who formally welcomed the two Congress renegade lawmakers into the party in the national capital, said the switch would help give “a more firm and development-oriented” government in Goa.
On the other hand, All India Congress Committee secretary in-charge of the coastal state A. Chellakumar insisted that the two switched loyalties because of a “fear psychosis”.
The political drama started late on Monday night after the two MLAs, Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte, told reporters at Goa’s Dabolim International Airport, that they were heading for Delhi for a “reception” and a “business trip” respectively.
On Tuesday, both elected representatives faxed their resignations to Speaker Pramod Sawant before joining the BJP.
“I have accepted their resignations. I asked them telephonically in presence of the Legislature Secretary, if they were doing it under duress. They said they were resigning of their own will,” Sawant said.
Meanwhile, at the formal induction ceremony in Delhi, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said the induction of the two MLAs, would strengthen the BJP-led coalition government in Goa. “Their joining the BJP will make the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar-led government in Goa stronger,” Goyal said.
Reacting to the ‘desertion,’ leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar said the move proved that the “BJP could go to any levels to stay in power”.
“We do not know if they were threatened or bribed or what pressure they were under,” Kavlekar told a press conference in Panaji.
Kavlekar said the remaining MLAs were firmly with the party. “All our 14 MLAs are together and are keeping an eye on the situation. Wait and watch,” the leader of Opposition also said.
Kavlekar said Congress would insist with Goa Governor Mridula Sinha for an opportunity to prove a majority on the floor of the House and stake its claim to power.
“We have asked the Governor four times for an opportunity and she has not responded. We have even petitioned the President. We’ll keep up our demand,” Kavlekar said.
In its petition to the Governor and President, the Congress has repeatedly claimed that in view of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s prolonged illness, it should be given an opportunity to stake its claim to power, being the single-largest party, with 16 MLAs.
Now with two MLAs deserting the Congress ranks, its strength drops to 14, on par with the BJP legislative unit, taking away its numeric advantage on the floor of the House.
The incumbent BJP-led coalition government comprises 14 MLAs from BJP, three each from the Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independent MLAs and one from the Nationalist Congress Party.
–IANS
maya/prs
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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.