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Meghalaya parties welcome single-phase Lok Sabha elections
Shillong, March 10 (IANS) Political parties in Meghalaya, here on Sunday, welcomed the announcement of single-phase election to the two Lok Sabha seats – Shillong and Tura – on April 11, and said they expect a free and fair poll.
The ruling National People’s Party (NPP), which is leading the six-party Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition government, is expected to field a candidate in Tura parliamentary seat.
“We welcome the announcement of elections. As a party, we will work towards putting up as many candidates as possible. The party will announce the name of candidates shortly,” Chief Minister and NPP President Conrad Sangma said.
Conrad, son of former Lok Sabha Speaker late Purno Agitok Sangma, had represented Tura Lok Sabha seat for more than two years, before he took oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya on March 6, 2018.
Since 1977 and until his demise, with the exception of 1989 and 2009, late Sangma had represented Tura in the Lok Sabha for nine terms.
However, it is not clear if the NPP will field a candidate of its own or support common candidate sponsored by the MDA coalition.
Interestingly, the BJP, which is part of the ruling coalition, has decided to contest both the seats.
The United Democratic Party, which is a key partner of the MDA, is in favour of a common candidate against the Congress. It has projected its former legislator Jemino Mawthoh as the common candidate of the MDA.
The opposition Congress is confident of retaining Shillong parliamentary seat, represented by its two-time MP and former Union Minister Vincent H. Pala, besides snatching away the Tura parliamentary seat from the NPP.
“We are confident to win both seats as the people of Meghalaya do not support ‘divisive politics’ and ‘false promises’ of the BJP. The people will vote out the BJP and bring back the Congress to power,” Congress leader Ronnie V. Lyngdoh said.
However, state BJP President Shibun Lyngdoh said his party would spring a surprise in the Lok Sabha elections as the BJP-led NDA have ensured all round development in the past five years.
“The BJP has decided to field candidates in Shillong and Tura since there is a demand from the people to contest the elections,” Lyngdoh 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.