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Goa BJP, Congress leaders trade charges over Rafale audio clip
Panaji, Jan 2 (IANS) As the NDA government went on the back foot in Parliament over an audio clip originating from Goa, the state BJP had to resort to desperate trouble-shooting to counter allegations made by the Congress over the issue.
The audio clip involves Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane purportedly claiming that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, during a recent cabinet meeting, had claimed that files related to the Rafale deal were stored in his bedroom.
A Goa BJP spokesperson has accepted that the taped conversation has the potential to damage the party’s reputation, even though Rane has demanded a probe into “doctoring” of the audio clip.
The Congress appealed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to raid the former Defence Minister’s bedroom and seize files related to the Rafale fighter jet deal and sought protection for Parrikar as well as the yet-to-be-identified person, who Rane is speaking to in the audio clip.
Parrikar was the Defence Minister from 2014-17.
An hour after Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala in Delhi released the audio of a telephonic conversation in Delhi, Rane addressed a press conference in Goa claiming the 2:24-minute clip was doctored and demanded that Parrikar probe the matter.
“The audio which is going viral is doctored. The CM should direct the DGP to probe this… Manohar Parrikar never talked about Rafale… They (Congress) are trying to sensationalise Rafale. Central agencies should probe so that these things can come out,” Rane said, adding that he had spoken to both Parrikar, as well as BJP national president Amit Shah.
The Congress, meanwhile, upped the ante demanding action by the Union Home Ministry because the matter dealt with “national security”.
“In national interest, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh should order the agencies under his Ministry and other Central agencies to raid Parrikar’s house and his bedroom and seize the files in his possession,” Congress spokesperson Siddhanath Buyao told a press conference on Wednesday.
He also said, that the CM as well as ministers present at the cabinet meeting held on December 21, should be put through a lie-detector test to ascertain the veracity of Rane’s statement.
Parrikar, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, is currently recuperating at his private residence, where the cabinet meeting in question was held.
Buyao also sough protection for Parrikar as well as the individual speaking to Rane in the telephone conversation.
“He (CM) can meet the fate of judge Loya or Haren Pandya, because this statement was made by Parrikar according to Vishwajit Rane. Even Parrikar should be given security, now that Parrikar has said those (Rafale) files are with me,” Buyao said.
Meanwhile, in a press conference held at the state BJP office late on Wednesday, accused Buyao, who is incidentally a musician who also owns a recording studio, of possibly doctoring the audio clip.
“There are so many mimicry artistes. Maybe the audio clip was doctored at Buyao’s recording studio… The CM should get to the bottom of the matter. The Health Minister has already written to the Chief Minister to investigate this,” said BJP spokesperson Nilesh Cabral.
Cabral also blamed the Congress for raking a “cooked up story” in order to malign the ruling dispensation, while also stating that the audio clip had the potential to damage the BJP’s reputation.
“Damage is something which we cannot ascertain (but) it is done by the audio clip,” Cabral 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.
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