Backlash from within CHP against party MP who targeted dismissed governor over his leggings: 'I find it hard to understand'

Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, who was targeted in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) for the leggings he wore while cycling, has been dismissed by the decision of AKP President Erdoğan. Çiçekli's dismissal brought to mind the speech made by CHP Kars MP İnan Akgün Alp in the TBMM.

CHP Kars MP İnan Akgün Alp had leveled harsh criticisms from the podium in the TBMM by showing a photograph of Governor Çiçekli. In his speech, Alp had used the expressions, “Four bodyguards in front and behind him. He walks around among the citizens in leggings. There is no such governor. I am calling out to the Minister of Interior; either remove these governors or send them grape leaves.”

REACTION FROM GÖKAN ZEYBEK

CHP Deputy Chairman Gökan Zeybek reacted to the criticisms directed at Governor Çiçekli. Zeybek stated, "It is very wrong for Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli to be criticized and also to be dismissed."

Speaking to T24, Zeybek said the following:

“It is very wrong. I find it wrong for a bureaucrat who exercises to be criticized, and I find it even more wrong for the government to dismiss him for this reason. It is natural for bureaucrats to ride bicycles all over the world. And it is common in Turkey as well. We tell all mayors in local governments to include bicycle paths in their planning boundaries. While we have a direct guiding perspective on incorporating this into zoning plan notes, and while we are a country bidding to host the Olympics, I find it hard to understand the punishment of a sport as extremely common as cycling.”

Reminding that former Erzincan Governor Recep Yazıcıoğlu was also interested in rafting, Zeybek said, “This is a country that made Recep Yazıcıoğlu a role model because he went rafting. Now, I do not understand the silence regarding a similar practice. I also do not find it right for the public to remain silent. Such formalistic and top-down instructions worry me not only from a democratic and political perspective but also in terms of social life.”

REMINDED OF THE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM

Stating that there may be opposing reactions but that the government should evaluate the process correctly, Zeybek concluded his words as follows:

“We saw these mindsets before regarding the shorts of the women's volleyball team. In a country of 86 million, there can be reactions and reflexes based on all kinds of beliefs and cultures. Those who govern the country should meet these with respect and make the right decisions. You cannot take the voices raised by a minority group into account and alienate the majority. There can also be reactions to the movement of the majority. There are oppositions in every period of history, but the segment governing the country must find the right attitude and act accordingly. If you punish a governor for his sportswear, tomorrow no bureaucrat will exercise. A swimmer will not wear their swimsuit, a tennis player will not wear their skirt, and social life will be affected. Women will also not get up and wear their shorts. The right attitude must be found.”