Call to retirees from Özgür Özel: Seeking your rights is your constitutional guarantee

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel said at a public meeting organized by his party in Republic Square that Kırklareli is a city of those who love their homeland, their flag, and the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Stating that all his fatigue disappears when he comes to Kırklareli, Özel requested support for the current mayor and his party's mayoral candidate, Mehmet Siyam Kesimoğlu.

Noting that a primary election was held in Kırklareli at the request of Kesimoğlu, Özel stated that Kesimoğlu came in first in the election and was nominated as the mayoral candidate. Özel criticized Serdar Türker, who resigned from the CHP and became an independent mayoral candidate after not being nominated.

Interpreting Türker's independent candidacy as an attempt to make the CHP lose, Özel said, "Someone who lost the primary, someone who until yesterday benefited from the power of the six-arrow badge, someone who sat in the mayor's seat thanks to the party, has now left his party and become a candidate against us. Just so that we lose and someone else wins..."

"I WILL NOT FORGIVE TÜRKER'S BEHAVIOR"

Özel also responded to allegations that pressure was put on Türker to withdraw from his independent candidacy and that various promises were made to him.

Stating that he called Türker, Özel said the following:

"I told the candidate in question, 'Do not try to make the party lose the election; Kırklareli will not forgive it.' I said, 'You won't succeed anyway, but it is not right to go down in history as a black mark.' I said, 'Come on, give up on this, let's walk shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.'"

"He said, 'The Chairman called me.' It's nothing to be ashamed of; that is the Chairman's duty, so that there is no resentment or hard feelings. He said, 'They offered me this, they offered me that.' That part is something I have never seen or heard of. But if a duty is offered to him, it is a public duty. However, I do not forgive, and I will not forgive, going on partisan television channels, going on AK Party television channels, and trying to make the CHP lose."

Özel thanked Kesimoğlu for his work, which he said demonstrates social and genuine municipal governance.

Criticizing government policies, Özel explained that they will continue to seek the rights of retirees everywhere.

CALL TO RETIREES

Stating that they know the problems of retirees very well, Özel said, "I am addressing the retirees: unionizing and seeking your rights is your constitutional guarantee. Just to spite some people, all of you go to the retirees' unions, become members, fight for your rights, and seek your rights; we are all together by your side, we are behind you."

Kesimoğlu also gave a speech at the program. CHP Deputy Chairmen Suat Özçağdaş and Gökçe Gökçen also attended the public meeting.

News Source: AA