Erdoğan: 'They were bothered because we said the biggest radishes are in the bag'

President Erdoğan spoke at the AKP Group Meeting. Starting his remarks with the fire tragedy in Bolu, Erdoğan said, "No one can or will be able to escape responsibility."

Here are the highlights of Erdoğan's speech:

"As we remained silent, the main opposition, hired pens, and hired-gun screen faces lowered the level. For 1 week, they have displayed every variety of heartlessness. They entered a race to whitewash themselves. At the very beginning of my words, I wish mercy upon each of our 78 brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the fire tragedy. Perhaps a lifetime of heartbreak remains for us from them. We declared 1 day of national mourning to show our solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones. Our nation stood united in the tragic incident that occurred in Bolu. Except for a few ignorant people, our nation has once again revealed that it is always brotherly.

NUMBER OF DETENTIONS IN BOLU FIRE RISES TO 28

We especially stayed away from arguments. As we remained silent, the main opposition, hired pens, and hired-gun screen faces lowered the level. For 1 week, they have displayed every variety of heartlessness. They entered a race to whitewash themselves. We did not break our stance despite the baseness we have followed with regret on behalf of our country's opposition.

As soon as the news of the fire, which started at 03:27, reached us, we mobilized all our state teams. The transfer of our 51 injured brothers and sisters to health institutions was carried out rapidly. We have done and will do everything necessary to make our citizens who lost their children and loved ones prematurely feel that they are not alone. We ensured that investigations were launched rapidly regarding the investigation of the tragedy in all its aspects. An 8-person committee was established. This committee continues its work. The number of detentions has risen to 28.

We will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to hold accountable whoever is responsible for tearing 78 of our souls away from us. If it falls within the jurisdiction of our judiciary, we will hand them over to justice. We will ensure that this tragedy is investigated down to the finest detail. No one can or will be able to escape responsibility with wordplay. Whoever is responsible will be held accountable not in any social media channel, but in independent Turkish courts.

'DO YOU HAVE NO CONSCIENCE, ARE YOU NOT ASHAMED AT ALL?'

We absolutely have no tolerance for greedy, wretched people disregarding the lives of our citizens. No one can gamble with the lives of my citizens. No one can sacrifice innocent children, whose mouths still smell of milk, to their ambitions. We will not look at anyone's tears. From here, I say this to the opposition actors who have been picking at the wounds of our families with their irresponsible statements for 8 days: Do you have no conscience, are you not ashamed at all? When will you share in the grief of this nation? When will you stop politicizing every issue? When will you stop the politics of exploitation? When will you settle accounts with the cronyism that spreads like a plague?

Since January 21, we have ignored your provocations. We insisted on acting with common sense. Today, we do not want to be dragged into narrow-minded debates devoid of empathy and fairness. I consider it a duty to remind you of some facts. In İzmir, 2 young people lost their lives after being electrocuted; you ignored it. You tried to declare the people responsible for the cable car team in Antalya as heroes. You shamelessly talk about morality and taking responsibility. We will not remain silent in the face of insolence. We are saddened that we have to talk about these things.

'THEY WERE BOTHERED BECAUSE WE SAID THE BIGGEST RADISHES ARE IN THE BAG'

The spear no longer fits in the sack. They were bothered because we said, 'The biggest radishes are in the bag.' Why? Because they know their situation very well. It is because of this that they have lost their balance to the point of threatening our judicial members through their families and children in a panic. As the People's Alliance, we need to close the gap of the opposition by working harder. I trust you, our deputies, on this issue and expect more effort.

We are nearing the end of our congress marathon. We have held our 73 provincial congresses. We held our 7th Youth Congress with a magnificent atmosphere. I convey my thanks to all our provincial youth branch presidents and our youth branch central executive board team.

'WHILE MR. ÖZEL IS BUSY WITH A RED CARD...'

The opposition, which should be the alternative to the government, is not in the same weight class as us in terms of preparation or mentality. They see nothing but their political careers. While Mr. Özel is busy with a red card, the former chairman showed him the first yellow card. Whatever they do is in vain. The spear does not fit in the sack. They were bothered because we said, 'The biggest radishes are in the bag.' Why? Because they know their situation very well. It is because of this that they have lost their balance to the point of threatening our judicial members through their families and children in a panic. Everyone knows well what the towers of money and inflated concert invoices serve. We cannot allow our citizens to look at these and lose hope in politics. As the People's Alliance, we need to close the gap of the opposition by working harder."