Özgür Özel's statement on Lütfü Savaş: 'To cover up the AKP's responsibility...'

CHP leader Özgür Özel attended the mass opening and groundbreaking ceremony of the Turgutlu Municipality as part of his Manisa program. 

Following the ceremony, Özel visited the Turgutlu Municipality and his party's district headquarters.

When asked by journalists about Lütfü Savaş's candidacy for Hatay Metropolitan Mayor, Özel gave the following response:

"Our Hatay Metropolitan Mayor is a senior figure who has been serving for 10 years, has won the favor of Hatay, and has received support from other parties as well. A great disaster occurred on February 6. I was in Malatya one day after the disaster. I toured the entire earthquake zone. I was in Hatay on the third day of the earthquake. For 40 days, one of the places I visited the most was Hatay. The state was absent for days. Subsequently, disruptions regarding municipal services were debated. 3 municipalities are held by the CHP, and the remaining municipalities are held by the AK Party. Criticisms were directed at our Hatay Metropolitan Mayor to cover up the AK Party's responsibility in matters related to zoning. Local municipalities have responsibilities. In the places where the greatest destruction occurred, there are Justice and Development Party local municipalities."

"SHAPED BY THE RESULTS OF POLLS"

Stating, "After the earthquake, we linked our Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor with Hatay," Özel continued as follows:

"From that day to this, they are still doing in Hatay what the state has not done. However, we had said that we would not take a step without conducting measurement and evaluation regarding the extent of the great anger and resentment toward the state and local administrations after the earthquake. In most places, we conducted a single poll; regarding Hatay, we conducted 4 polls. As a result of all the polls, the name of Mr. Lütfü Savaş emerged once again. As long as we did not announce Savaş's name, the people of Hatay said, 'We want our candidate to be determined as soon as possible.' Regarding this, the wet-signed documents from the provincial and district administrations finally reached our headquarters. We nominated Lütfü Savaş, whom we believe can achieve the best result among the candidates based on the results of the 4 polls. My commitment is not to be stubborn with the public. The poll was not conducted only among CHP members, but among all residents of Hatay. His name came out of the poll. There are criticisms directed at him. A decision has been made, and I hope this decision is the best one for the CHP."

News Source: 12punto