Allegations regarding Turkcell, the backyard of the AKP

It is not easy to keep up with Turkey's volatile agenda, where citizens are often the victims.

Recently, many complaints have been voiced regarding GSM operators. Today, a user claimed that they encountered a different situation while receiving Turkcell services in Bulgaria compared to Turkey, alleging that they were able to watch more movies with the internet service they purchased while within the borders of Bulgaria, and presented some data.

The user's test was quickly shared by influential accounts on social media. It suddenly became a trending topic on X.

Thousands of users began to write and voice similar complaints.

We are no longer surprised that companies look after their own interests and victimize citizens. And we are not surprised at all by a system that has lost its ability to supervise.

During the 22-year AKP rule, values and concepts have been turned upside down. There is almost nothing left that has not been corrupted.

After reading the allegations, I examined the Turkcell Board of Directors chart.

The former general manager of Anadolu Agency, Şenol Kazancı, is the Chairman of the Board... Ayşe Nur Bahçekapılı, a former chief advisor whose term was ended by Erdoğan and a former AKP deputy, is also a member of the board at Turkcell.

One of the independent board members is Mehmet Naci İnci, the appointed rector of Boğaziçi University...

Nail Olpak, the former president of MÜSİAD and current president of DEİK, who is affiliated with the AKP, is also on the board...

On the occasion of these allegations, which must be investigated and absolutely clarified, let us recall the Turkcell Board of Directors, which has been turned into the backyard of the AKP.

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IMPRESSIONS OF SİNEM DEDETAŞ AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Yesterday, I was in Üsküdar as a citizen and a journalist to observe the 'Neighborhood Meeting' held by Sinem Dedetaş, the Republican People's Party (CHP) mayor of Üsküdar Municipality.

Citizens voiced their complaints one after another. One of the prominent issues was cleanliness. It is very clear that there is a cleanliness problem in Üsküdar.

The high number of victims of urban transformation was also noteworthy.

Dedetaş appeared before the citizens with her three deputies. They tried to answer questions as openly as possible. It was observed that Dedetaş maintained a calm and controlled demeanor.

However, to my question, which I asked personally and which clearly had the underlying goal of deliberately making Üsküdar more conservative, regarding the closure of venues serving alcohol, she gave a politically toned answer, also considering the presence of the conservative base in Üsküdar.

As is known, Üsküdar has been one of the districts where social life has suffered the most under the AKP government.

Venues located in Salacak, where people could go to eat and drink with their families and guests, have closed one by one.

Similarly, all venues in the vicinity of Bağlarbaşı - Yenimahalle, where our Armenian citizens also reside, have closed their doors.

I am not even counting the Uncular region... That place is currently filled only with cafes that appeal to the conservative segment.

I told Sinem Dedetaş that this is an AKP policy and asked what process would be followed regarding this situation under their administration. I received an answer that I thought was a bit vague and abstract, unrelated to the topic, such as protecting the family structure of Üsküdar.

Before the meeting, former Mayor Hilmi Türkmen had shared a message stating that the real estate of Üsküdar Municipality was being put up for sale.

A press release on this matter also came from the municipality. The statement said, "The posts on social media claiming that Üsküdar Municipality is selling its real estate are entirely an effort to create a perception. The housing projects were built during the term of former mayor Hilmi Türkmen 'to be sold,' and the income from the sale was added to the 2024 budget. 1.3 billion liras of the 5 billion lira Üsküdar Municipality budget for 2024, which was planned in the previous term, that is, 27 percent of the budget, was based on the sale of real estate. It is seen that the municipal budget was built on balancing with the sale of real estate before the new administration took office. Real estate sales were also made by the municipality in 2023 and between January 1 and March 31, 2024. Posts made as if there is a new sales plan do not reflect the truth. We present this to the information of the public and our neighbors in Üsküdar."

On the other hand, I think there is another issue that must be addressed. I saw that almost all of the participants were looking after their personal expectations, there were few demands for the public interest, and making Üsküdar a more livable place was not prioritized.

I noticed the remarks of a few participants to the mayor, in front of the public and members of the press, which meant, "If you are going to solve our problem, you solve it, otherwise we already have connections, let us not have to involve others." This mindset once again threw the 'reality of society' in my face.

On the other hand, a few other participants said that they worked very hard in the field before the local elections, but their expectations of being hired after the victory were in vain. Citizens must abandon this individualistic approach to interests.

They must grasp that politics is not done to get hired, and understand the importance of merit and justice.

During the 22-year AKP rule, all state institutions, from the justice system to the health system, have been filled with people who lack merit and are focused on rent-seeking due to nepotism and cronyism, and a terrible period of plunder continues to be experienced. Everyone should know that there is no acceptable side to displaying the same approach while criticizing the AKP.