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Turkey’s Erdogan wins presidential re-election (Third Lead)

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Ankara, June 25 (IANS) Turkey’s long-standing leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a new five-year term after securing outright victory in the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections, tightening his grip on the nation he has ruled for 15 years.

Turkey’s Supreme Election Council (YSK) on Monday announced that with 99.6 per cent of ballots counted, Erdogan had secured 52.5 per cent of the vote in the Sunday election, which would eliminate the need for a runoff, state-run news agency Anadolu reported.

Voter turnout was high at almost 87 per cent, according to election officials.

His top rival, Muharrem Ince, a lawmaker from the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), lagged behind at 30.6 per cent. He accepted the result on the basis of poll figures but said that everything about the vote was “unfair”.

Erdogan starts a new five-year term with sweeping new powers granted in a narrowly won referendum last year, denounced by his critics as a blatant power grab.

Under the new system, the office of Prime Minister is abolished, Parliament’s powers curtailed and the President is accorded wide-ranging executive authority.

Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its allied Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP) retained their parliamentary majority.

Delivering a traditional balcony speech from the headquarters of his AKP early on Monday morning, Erdogan vowed to roll up his sleeves to build a bigger and stronger Turkey.

“The winners of the June 24 elections are Turkey, the Turkish nation, sufferers of our region and all oppressed (people) in the world,” he said, according to state media.

“Turkey has decided to take the side of growth, development, investment, enrichment and a reputable, honourable and influential country in all areas in the world,” he said.

The leader said his government would confront terror groups more decisively. “We will increase our country’s international reputation,” he was quoted as saying by Hurriyet Daily News.

“Immediately after the oath-taking ceremony, we will start implementing our programme by identifying our bureaucrats,” Erdogan said, vowing to work day and night as “we have no single moment to lose”.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also addressed his supporters in Ankara. “It is a festival day today. It is Turkey’s day. It is a day that 81 million people won and there is no loser.”

Eight political parties were contesting for the parliamentary polls while six candidates, including Erdogan, were in the fray for the presidential election.

Congratulations came in from Islamic leaders including Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Russian President Vladimir Putin talked of Erdogan’s “great political authority and mass support”.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated the Turkish leader on “the success of the Turkish democratic process and his victory in the presidential elections”.

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah also sent their messages to Erdogan.

Under the new Constitution, Erdogan could stand for a third term when his second finishes in 2023, meaning he could potentially hold power until 2028.

–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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