Controversial remarks on Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir from 'Shakkadanak' Necmettin Batırel

Necmettin Batırel, a columnist for the Türkiye newspaper who is remembered for his words "I'll sell 10 billion dollars 'shakkadanak' (in a snap), everyone will be surprised, then I'll sell another 10 billion dollars" during a television program he attended years ago with Prof. Dr. Özgür Demirtaş, made a controversial post on his social media account.

Offering advice to the AKP government, which failed to win Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir in the March 31 Local Elections, Batırel said, "If I were in the government's place, I wouldn't drive a single nail into Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir."

Necmettin Batırel stated the following:

"If I were in the government's place, I wouldn't drive a single nail into Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir, and I wouldn't provide a single penny of support. Since the vast majority of people in these cities re-elected mayors who do not serve them, let them fend for themselves. If the innocent suffer along with the guilty, so be it."

Hükümetin yerinde olsam İstanbul, Ankara ve İzmir'e tek bir çivi bile çakmam, tek kuruş destek vermem. Mademki bu şehirlerdekilerin büyük çoğunluğu kendilerine hizmet etmeyen başkanları yeniden seçtiler, ne halleri varsa görsünler. Kurunun arasında yaş da yanarmış yanarsa yansın

— Necmettin Batırel (@necmbatirel) April 15, 2024