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Karnataka heading for political showdown?

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Bengaluru/Gurugram, Jan 15 (IANS) In a jolt to the seven-month-old Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka that could lead to a political showdown, two Independent legislators, R. Shankar and H. Nagesh, withdrew their support even as the whereabouts of three Congress MLAs were not known while opposition BJP MLAs were lodged in a luxury hotel in Gurugram.

The development came amid an ongoing political war between the coalition partners JD-S and Congress on the one hand and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the other over alleged poaching of Congress legislators by the BJP.

Though Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, his deputy G. Parameshwara and the Working President of state Congress claimed that there was no threat to the government, it could portend difficult days ahead for it as the nearly 100 MLAs of BJP stayed put in the hotel and remained incommunicado.

“I had extended support to the JD-S-Congress coalition expecting good governance but have been disappointed,” Shankar told the media.

A legislator from Ranebennur Assembly segment in Haveri district, Shankar belongs to the regional Karnataka Pragnavantha Janata Party while Nagesh is an Independent from Mulbagal constituency in Kolar district.

The two Independents shared with the media their letter to Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala withdrawing their support to the coalition.

Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, who is incharge of BJP affairs in Karnataka, told reporters in Bengaluru that he was confident of the Independents rethinking their decision.

“The Independents have every right to withdraw their support, but we’re confident they will be with us,” Venugopal said after a meeting with state unit Congress leaders.

Kumaraswamy was unfazed. “I know my strength. We are in touch, why do you worry,” he asked journalists.

He was referring to the three Congress MLAs including Ramesh Jharkiholi, a senior leader who is now sulking after being dropped from the Cabinet recently.

Congress leader and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara accused the BJP of trying to “topple” a “stable” government.

“The BJP is trying to sway the legislators with money power. Their aim is to topple the government, but we are confident of retaining our stability as we have the support of all our legislators,” Parameshwara told the media in Bengaluru.

In the 225-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress has 80 MLAs including the Speaker, the JD-S 37 (117 in all) and the BJP 104.

While the BJP has denied the poaching allegations, it has kept 99 of its 104 legislators at a private resort in Gurugram, adjoining the national capital, state unit spokesman Vamanacharya said.

“A total of 99 legislators are currently at a private resort, while the other five are in Delhi and in touch with us,” he told IANS here.

The hotel where the MLAs were put up remained out of bounds for journalists.

–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

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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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